Yoon Criticizes Environment Minister to "Properly Manage Water"

Emphasizing the Importance of National Life and Safety
Presidential Office: "Environmental Ministry Reorganization and Active Management Measures"

President Yoon Suk-yeol reportedly criticized Minister of Environment Han Hwa-jin on the 19th, saying, "Manage water affairs properly," in response to the recent heavy rains that caused dozens of casualties.

According to officials from the presidential office and the government, President Yoon said at a closed Cabinet meeting the day before, "Protecting the environment is important, but the lives and safety of the people are more important," and scolded, "If you cannot properly manage water affairs, hand it back to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held on the 18th at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

A key official from the presidential office explained, "'Water management was transferred from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to the Ministry of Environment during the previous administration. In that case, the Ministry of Environment needs to reorganize its structure and take a more proactive approach to management,' that was the gist of the statement."

The previous Moon Jae-in administration transferred water management duties, related organizations, and budgets, which were under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, to the Ministry of Environment under the name of 'integrated water management.'

It is reported that President Yoon views the failure to implement digital simulations of water systems and inter-ministerial data sharing, which he ordered during last year's floods, as a problem.

In his opening remarks at the Cabinet meeting he presided over the day before, President Yoon also stated, "We must have a digital monitoring system that can operate systematically at all times. The central and local governments must collaborate on a pan-government level, and experts must participate," adding, "This is something I have emphasized since last year's floods."

Minister Han reportedly responded to President Yoon's warning by saying, "I will keep it in mind." The ruling party, People Power Party, and the government plan to hold a party-government council soon to discuss efficient water management measures.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.