Prime Minister Han: Heatwave Nearing Critical Point... Thoroughly Inspect Vulnerable Sites

Prime Minister Han Sung-sook ordered relevant ministries today (the 28th) to inspect heatwave-vulnerable locations, such as impoverished urban neighborhoods ("jjokbangchon"), workplaces, and construction sites, "to the point of seeming excessive," regarding the severe heat issue.

Making the remarks during her opening statement at a Cabinet meeting held at the Government Complex-Seoul today, Prime Minister Han said, "Especially with forecasts predicting temperatures approaching 40°C (104°F) in some regions, this week is expected to be a truly critical turning point."

Regarding President Lee Jae-myung's tour of the United States and South America, Prime Minister Han expressed expectations, stating, "South Korea will build AI cooperation networks worldwide to leapfrog into an irreplaceable core nation within the global AI supply chain."

She continued, "Through close cooperation with resource-rich nations in South America, we will also expand supply chains for essential resources such as critical minerals and energy," instructing relevant ministries to "make every effort to ensure that the achievements of the tour quickly translate into tangible changes felt by the public and businesses."

Addressing the economic situation, Prime Minister Han noted that recent exports have achieved strong performance, but pointed out that "internal and external conditions remain challenging, with lingering uncertainties in the Middle East, new U.S. tariff measures, and worsening youth employment."

She emphasized, "Even while the President is on an overseas tour, he has looked after livelihood measures such as the ceiling price system for petroleum and the reduction of fuel taxes. Therefore, the Cabinet must not let down its guard for even a moment and must do its utmost for livelihood stability and economic growth."

Regarding the suicide prevention measures discussed today, Prime Minister Han requested, "Please closely inspect and supplement whether policies are functioning properly in the field and if there are any shortcomings."

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy Koo Yun-cheol explained during the meeting regarding responses to the Middle East situation, "In preparation for the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, we are urgently shifting to alternative ports, securing imports through routes including the Port of Yanbu and the Port of Fujairah." He added, "Next, we are also discussing the early warehousing of joint stockpile facilities with oil-producing countries."

He continued, "In preparation for even the Red Sea being cut off, we will formulate multifaceted measures with relevant ministries, including the potential use of the Suez Canal or Egyptian oil pipelines, separate plans to secure volumes from the UAE [United Arab Emirates], and the addition of non-Middle Eastern sources."

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) Commissioner Im Seung-kwan reported on core promotion tasks for reducing antibiotic use and curbing resistance today.

Commissioner Im noted, "Due to the recent indiscriminate use of antibiotics, resistance is rapidly increasing," and presented key tasks: "appropriate use and reduction of usage," "establishment of a national integrated surveillance system for antimicrobial resistance," "prevention of occurrence and blocking of transmission," and "responsible execution and social behavioral change."

He introduced, "Under this national plan, we are establishing plans and making efforts to reduce antibiotic use by 10 percent across all sectors and lower the antimicrobial resistance rate by 10 percent by 2030."

In connection with this, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Miryung introduced a long-term goal, stating, "The major plan is to mandate without exception that prescriptions must be received for antibiotics," adding, "We will also restrict group administration when it is unnecessary."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.