Kim Dong-yeon: "Don't let vigilance down, spare no effort to prevent loss of residents' lives and property"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gap-dong] Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon again emphasized the province's response principles of being field-centered, making swift judgments, and implementing boldly.

Governor Kim stated at the 'Heavy Rain Response Province-City/County Disaster Safety Headquarters Meeting' held on the 18th at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Disaster Safety Meeting Room 1: "Do not let vigilance down and spare no effort to ensure no loss of residents' lives and property."

Encouraging city and county officials who have been working emergency shifts amid continued heavy rain and downpours, Governor Kim said, "There must be no negligence whatsoever in protecting the lives and safety of residents. I urge you to maintain vigilance to the end and make full efforts in disaster response."

He continued, "In 2023 and 2024, fortunately there were no casualties, but unfortunately a retaining wall collapse occurred the day before yesterday, resulting in loss of life. While we must investigate the cause of the accident thoroughly, I must once again emphasize the principle of preemptive excessive response in disaster management. Field-centered operations, swift judgment, and bold implementation are disaster response principles that must be upheld—not only for this heavy rain but also for natural disasters and calamities to come. I ask that you keep these in mind and uphold them together."

He added, "Given the unpredictable and rapidly changing weather forecasts, the risk of compound disasters is increasing. In such times, we must not let vigilance down and make every effort to ensure no further loss of residents' lives and property to disasters. We must also strengthen communication and coordination systems between the province and its cities and counties."

The video-conference meeting on the 18th was attended by Administrative Deputy Governors 1 and 2, the head of the Fire and Disaster Management Headquarters, related department heads, and mayors and county heads of 31 cities and counties.

Kim Bo-ra, Mayor of Anseong, said at the meeting, "While rainfall was relatively heavy, road and river flooding were not as severe as in previous years. I believe this is the result of well-conducted preparations thanks to the special budget Gyeonggi Province provided for dredging and drainage maintenance. We are grateful."

The province activated the Disaster Safety Headquarters Emergency Alert Level 2 from 1 p.m. on the 16th, before intensive heavy rain began in earnest. Currently, 29 personnel from Gyeonggi Province and 4,420 from cities and counties are responding to the situation.

The province is also conducting on-site emergency operations at river construction sites and restoration project sites. Centered on underground passages at risk of flooding, field surveillance patrols have been conducted at 295 underground passages. Dangerous areas including riverside walking paths, embankment parking lots, and Seyeol Bridge remain under continuous control.

Regarding the retaining wall collapse accident in Osan that occurred on the night of the 16th, Governor Kim has directed swift damage surveys and prompt emergency repairs, while conducting emergency comprehensive safety inspections of retaining walls in elevated road embankments throughout the province.

Following the 'Province-City/County Disaster Safety Headquarters Meeting,' Governor Kim reported at the 'Intensive Heavy Rain Response Situation Check Meeting' chaired by President Lee Jae-myung on the inspection status of three major types in the province—underground passages, river construction sites, and landslide-prone areas—as well as the 'Gyeonggi Province Disaster Response Guidelines' established in May, including rainfall-based control and evacuation criteria for underground spaces, landslide-prone areas, and riverside walking paths.

Meanwhile, from the rain that began on the 16th, Gyeonggi Province has experienced 269 incidents of damage as of 6 a.m. on the 18th, including the Osan elevated road retaining wall collapse (1 death), 32 residential flooding cases, 113 road flooding cases, and 9 soil loss cases.