"National Climate Disaster": President Lee Orders Improvements to Response Infrastructure

President Lee Jae-myung has defined the current heatwave as "effectively a national climate disaster." He emphasized that administrative power must be concentrated to prevent casualties among citizens vulnerable to the extreme heat, such as residents in jjogbangchon (impoverished boarding quarters) and outdoor laborers. He also ordered improvements to infrastructure, including power grids and heatwave response facilities.

Here is the report from reporter Kang Cheongwan.

President Lee Jae-myung presided over a senior secretaries meeting at the presidential office today (the 6th).

[President Lee Jae-myung: This is currently, in effect, a national climate disaster situation.]

Stating that the unprecedented heatwave is severely threatening the lives of the public, he ordered an all-out government-wide response.

[President Lee Jae-myung: With a higher level of tension than ever before, we must raise the level, scope, and speed of our policy responses to the maximum.]

Stressing that "the top priority is to protect the lives and safety of the people," President Lee called for concentrating administrative capabilities to ensure the safety of outdoor workers in construction sites, rural and fishing areas, as well as residents living in gosiwons (budget studio apartments) and jjogbangchon.

[President Lee Jae-myung: We must never let a situation arise where a citizen's life or death depends on where they live or where they work.]

In line with the climate disaster situation that has become the "new normal," he also called for improvements to related infrastructure such as housing, water supply facilities, power grids, and heatwave response facilities.

Earlier, during a meeting to inspect the heatwave and drought situation held at the Government Complex Seoul, President Lee received video reports from provincial governors and others. Noting that there is no rain forecast for the time being, he called for proactive responses to the worsening drought in the southern regions, urging the active promotion of alternative water supplies and the operation of pumping equipment.

(Photo courtesy of: Ha Ryung, Yoon Hyung | Video Editing: Wi Won-yang)

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