(Unofficial translation)

It is fortunate that the wildfire in Gangwon-do Province, which escalated into a national disaster, has been brought under control sooner than anticipated. It is regrettable that there was one fatality. My prayers go out to the deceased, and I express my deepest sympathy to the bereaved family.

I also offer words of consolation to the residents of the areas hit by wildfires who are suffering from losing their homes and livelihoods overnight. The Government will do all it can to ensure that their inconveniences will be minimized during their stay in temporary shelters and that they will be able to return to their everyday lives as soon as possible. 

It was everyone’s dedicated efforts that made it possible to swiftly put out the wildfires. From the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to the Korea Forest Service, the National Fire Agency, the military, the police and the local governments, all relevant organizations, united as one, did what they could to the best of their abilities to minimize losses. The Citizens Corps Active in Disaster and volunteer firefighters as well as local residents joined forces to prevent blazes from spreading and evacuate their neighbors to safe locations. Once again, I am deeply grateful to them.

Every time we suffer a crisis, I marvel at how truly extraordinary the Korean people are. The Government should redouble its efforts to work at a level that matches the high standards of our citizens. 

All over the world, wildfires are occurring more frequently with ever-mounting devastation. I urge you all to put more efforts into preventing wildfires by identifying their causes. If Gangwon-do wildfires are primarily caused by power supply facilities, various fundamental safety measures need to be worked out after prioritizing necessities.  

I also ask you to conduct across-the-board assessments of ways to strengthen the capabilities of first responders to disasters. Placing all firefighters under the central government will not only improve their situations but also mitigate regional disparities in terms of firefighting personnel and equipment, making it possible to respond to disasters more effectively. As little political contention surrounds the proposed firefighter bill, I ask the National Assembly for prompt cooperation with passage so that the related law can take effect this July as scheduled. 

It is also urgent to secure the type of equipment essential for putting out forest fires. In particular, procuring helicopters that can be deployed immediately to wildfires even at night or under strong winds must not be put off due to budget constraints. I urge you to give positive consideration to this matter. 

The Korea Forest Service’s special forest fire brigade engages in desperate fights on the frontlines whenever a forest fire breaks out. However, they still face employment instability and poor conditions. I urge you to consider ways to improve their present situations and provide safety equipment. 

On top of this, I request that you examine ways to provide support for the personnel dispatched to major disasters. They risk their lives and work all night without sleep to protect people and their property, so I urge you to find ways for them to rest and eat properly when they are on breaks, such as providing makeshift shelter or dispatching catering vehicles. 

In post-disaster recovery, it is imperative that we ensure that essential support is provided as intended by carefully assessing the affected residents’ situations and circumstances. As the Prime Minister has emphasized, even during the recovery period, you must do everything to make sure that farmers affected can continue to farm for a living. To this end, it will be necessary to provide emergency funding for the farmers, rice seeds, new equipment and materials as well as assistance for repairing farm equipment, treating affected livestock and fixing damaged pens.   

The recent forest fire has confirmed the need to reassess the entire disaster broadcast system. Of particular note, the broadcaster in charge of disaster announcements should prioritize public safety when fulfilling its role as the information provider. There is a need to accurately notify people in real time of disaster situations while informing the residents directly affected and the general public of the precise steps they should follow. I urge you to come up with plans to improve the overall system, including disaster broadcast manuals, so that actionable information can be delivered through emergency broadcasts to the vulnerable, including people with disabilities, foreign nationals and everyone else. 

Strengthening public safety and the national disaster management system entails budget outlays. Reserve funds should be disbursed upfront for emergency disaster relief and compensation for damage. For the additional funds that are absolutely necessary to strengthen the public security system, I ask you to find the means, even by reflecting them in supplementary budget proposals if necessary.

In the response to the disaster caused by this forest fire, what shined in particular was the empathy of people who regarded their neighbors’ hardships as their own and stepped forward together. Many people continue to volunteer with damage recovery, donate relief supplies or raise funds. These actions will provide significant comfort for and assistance to residents affected by the fires. 

I have one more request: Gangwon-do’s tourism industry and the regional economy are expected to face great difficulties because of this forest fire. If more people could pay a visit to the province at a time like this, this would provide a great boost to Gangwon-do residents.