Prime Minister Han Sung-sook Calls for All-Out Efforts to Minimize Heatwave Damage

▲ Prime Minister Han Sung-sook presides over a meeting to inspect heatwave and drought response measures at the Seoul Situation Center of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 31st.

Prime Minister Han Sung-sook stated today (the 31st) regarding the heatwave situation, "It looks like it will be a week that requires high tension, as there is a possibility that the heavy heatwave warning could be expanded after the weekend."

During her opening remarks at a meeting to check heatwave and drought response measures held at the Government Complex Seoul this morning, Prime Minister Han said, "The government will make every possible effort to minimize the damage from the heatwave, which is expected to persist for the time being."

She repeatedly instructed, "This is a time when we must do our utmost to minimize heatwave damage. I ask each ministry to thoroughly review its respective sector's heatwave response measures once again."

She continued, "I urge the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Ministry of Health and Welfare to work closely with local governments to tightly manage the safety of vulnerable groups, such as residents in makeshift housing districts, elderly people living alone, and the homeless, and to continuously inspect heatwave shelters." She also emphasized, "The Ministry of Employment and Labor and other relevant agencies should actively provide information on shelters to prevent heat-related illnesses among outdoor workers, delivery drivers, and mobile workers."

She added, "I ask the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to take proactive measures to ensure that necessary support on the ground, such as water supply and the operation of equipment to respond to high water temperatures, is provided in a timely manner." She further noted, "The Ministry of Climate (Energy) should strengthen the integrated operation of dams, reservoirs, and rivers, and closely manage the supply of daily and industrial water in drought-vulnerable regions."

Prime Minister Han also called for attention to the health and safety of related officials, while urging the public, "Please refrain from outdoor activities during the hottest times of the day as much as possible, drink plenty of water, and take this time to look out for the health of your neighbors."

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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