Prime Minister Jeong: "Thorough Response Until Complete Extinguishment of Large Andong Wildfire"

by Lee Kwangho

Published 26 Apr.2020 15:14(KST)

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun instructed the Korea Forest Service on the 26th to "not let down your guard and thoroughly finish until the wildfire in Andong, Gyeongbuk is completely extinguished."

On the same day, during a phone briefing from Park Jong-ho, head of the Korea Forest Service, regarding the status of wildfire suppression in Andong and measures to prevent re-ignition, Prime Minister Chung said, "Fortunately, despite difficult conditions such as strong winds, the fire was extinguished without any casualties," and especially praised the protection of UNESCO cultural heritage sites such as Hahoe Village and Byeongsan Seowon.

He continued, "Just like during the recent wildfire in Gangwon, not only the Korea Forest Service but also Gyeongbuk Province, Andong City, the Fire Agency, military, police, and volunteer firefighters all worked together with one heart," and added, "I would like to express my gratitude to all those on the ground, including the Korea Forest Service’s special firefighting teams and aerial firefighting teams, Gyeongbuk Province’s ground firefighting teams, helicopter pilots, and maintenance personnel."

Furthermore, he added, "Many public officials are working hard to respond to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), and they have also been working hard to respond to this large wildfire."

He then urged, "Since the fire reignited yesterday due to strong winds after the main fire was extinguished, please do not be complacent and be thorough in extinguishing residual flames and monitoring for flare-ups until the fire is completely put out."

Prime Minister Chung said, "The weather remains dry, and the risk of wildfires is very high. With the easing of social distancing measures for COVID-19 response, it is expected that more people will visit the mountains," and ordered, "Since prevention is the best measure against wildfires, the Korea Forest Service should make every effort in wildfire prevention measures such as restricting mountain entry and cracking down on open burning until the wildfire risk decreases."