Lee Jae-myung Visits Gangneung Wildfire Site, Urges "Establishment of Permanent Restoration Measures"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited Gangneung, where a large-scale wildfire occurred, on the 12th to console the affected residents and promised support for the prompt establishment of relief measures.

On the same day in the afternoon, Lee visited the 'Gangneung Wildfire Damage Comprehensive Situation Room' and received a damage report from Kim Hong-gyu, mayor of Gangneung, while checking whether the fire department's protective measures for private homes were appropriate at the time.

He pointed out, responding to Mayor Kim's explanation that "an elderly person who evacuated and then returned home was harmed. Elderly people tend to return home after evacuating when a large fire breaks out, so we always ask for caution," saying, "I cannot accept that. If they knew such a tendency existed, they should have checked more carefully."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

원본보기 아이콘

Lee said, "Relief and livelihood restoration measures are important going forward, so while setting up temporary measures for disaster victims, permanent restoration plans must also be established," emphasizing, "Gangwon Province especially experiences frequent large wildfires, so fundamental prevention measures are necessary."

He then visited a pension affected by the wildfire to meet with residents and stopped by the Gangneung Ice Arena, where a shelter was set up, to console the disaster victims.

On the day, he told reporters, "I can somewhat understand how devastated those affected must feel," adding, "Whether central or local government, please cooperate to provide maximum support so these people can return to their daily lives as quickly as possible."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.