Kim Dong-yeon: "Treat This as a National Emergency and Provide Active Support"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gap-dong] As concerns mount over casualties and damage from wildfires occurring in the Yeongnam region, Governor Kim Dong-yeon of Gyeonggi Province cancelled a planned solo protest and visited the situation room at the province's Fire and Disaster Headquarters to inspect the province's wildfire prevention status and the firefighting situation in Gyeongbuk, while encouraging firefighting personnel.

Governor Kim visited the Gyeonggi Province Fire and Disaster Headquarters situation room around 8:30 a.m. on the 26th, stating, "I offer my deepest condolences to the victims and bereaved families, wish peace to those who have sacrificed their lives, and pray for the swift recovery of the injured. National firefighting plans through phase three have been mobilized, and reportedly provided great assistance in firefighting efforts. I especially thank the Gyeonggi firefighting personnel who have worked so hard despite being called in on their days off."

He continued, "In a situation where high winds could spread the fire in any direction, please make special efforts to protect the safety of firefighting personnel. I spoke with the Gyeongbuk Governor on the way here, and I was saddened to hear that the situation is very serious. If more firefighting deployment becomes necessary, please prepare to provide additional support. Treat this as a national emergency and prepare well so we can provide active support as if it were our own matter," he urged.

Governor Kim also stated, "Additionally, many large and small wildfires are currently occurring in Gyeonggi Province, so please strengthen surveillance. Even if wildfires occur, please thoroughly prepare for wildfire management and prevention so we can suppress them in their early stages and prevent damage."

The province has activated an emergency response system regarding this wildfire. Following the initial deployment of 27 firefighting personnel and approximately 10 pieces of equipment including pump trucks on the 22nd, to date it has deployed 180 firefighters and 69 pieces of equipment including 40 pumps and 28 water tanks to areas such as Uiseong.

As of 6 a.m. on the 26th, Gyeonggi Province Fire and Disaster Headquarters personnel have protected 1,188 households, provided water supply support 224 times, and conducted wildfire suppression activities covering an area of 295,040 square meters. Additionally, rest shuttle buses and 6 operational personnel have been deployed to Uiseong in Gyeongbuk to provide rest spaces for firefighting personnel and volunteers.

On the 25th, the province decided to provide 500 million won in disaster relief funds to support rapid recovery in major wildfire-affected areas including Ulsan, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam.

The province plans to provide additional relief personnel and supplies depending on field conditions, and will also operate psychological recovery programs for displaced residents and recovery participants upon request from affected areas.

Meanwhile, the province has organized rapid response teams comprising civil servants from 31 cities and counties and is on emergency standby. It has deployed 1,800 wildfire watchers at cemeteries and mountain entry points to strengthen wildfire surveillance and crackdown on illegal burning. Through cooperation between forestry and agricultural departments, the province has deployed 165 personnel organized into 51 teams of wildfire suppression forces to conduct crackdowns on illegal burning of agricultural byproducts and disposal activities.

Additionally, 18 wildfire suppression helicopters are deployed by region to strengthen aerial surveillance and are prepared for rapid initial response in case of wildfire outbreak. Focusing on wildfire-vulnerable cities and counties with frequent wildfire occurrences on weekends and holidays, 12 teams of 60 wildfire watchers are conducting intensive surveillance and crackdowns. This year, 56 wildfire incidents have occurred in Gyeonggi Province, with a significant number confirmed to be caused by human negligence such as illegal burning and cigarette butts.