Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik visited the National Crisis Management Center today (July 8) to inspect preparations for heavy rain as monsoon downpours began across the country.

Chief of Staff Kang announced his visit to the center on social media today, stating, "The government will make thorough preparations to ensure a seamless response despite changing climate environments and weather conditions."

He wrote, "Recently, there have been frequent occurrences of heavy rain falling in a short period, much like a squall. It is becoming difficult to predict." He added, "I have instructed the staff to keep a close watch on weather conditions from this evening through tomorrow without missing a single moment, and to be fully prepared to respond immediately to any situation."

He also stated that he instructed the head of the National Crisis Management Center to "report immediately if a situation arises, regardless of time, place, or means of communication."

Addressing the public, he noted that heavy rain is expected through tomorrow and urged citizens to "refrain from entering riverside areas, underground spaces, and low-lying areas during periods of intense rainfall, and to frequently check weather updates and disaster alerts."

(Photo: Screenshot from Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik's Facebook, Yonhap News)