South Korean Authorities Declare Additional Counties as Special Disaster Zones Following Wildfires
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Synopsis
On March 24, the South Korean government designated Ulju, Uiseong, and Hadong as special disaster zones due to devastating wildfires. This follows the declaration of Sancheong County, enhancing support for affected areas and addressing the needs of over 2,700 displaced individuals.
Key Takeaways
- Three counties in southeastern South Korea declared as special disaster zones.
- Over 2,700 people have been displaced due to wildfires.
- Acting President Han Duck-soo emphasizes safety for firefighters and affected residents.
- Evacuations ordered in Uiseong due to strong winds.
- Comprehensive recovery support promised post-extinguishment.
Seoul, March 24 (NationPress) On Monday, the South Korean authorities declared the southeastern counties of Ulju, Uiseong, and Hadong, which have been severely impacted by wildfires, as special disaster zones. This announcement comes as efforts continue to control the ongoing blaze that has persisted for four consecutive days.
The new designation follows the earlier proclamation of Sancheong County as a special disaster zone on Saturday. Areas recognized as special disaster zones are eligible for comprehensive government support initiatives. The wildfires have led to the displacement of over 2,700 individuals, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
Acting President Han Duck-soo emphasized the importance of prioritizing the safety of firefighting personnel and addressing the challenges faced by those who have lost their homes, pledging to provide extensive assistance for recovery efforts once the fires are under control.
Evacuations have been ordered for firefighters and some residents due to the risk of the wildfires spreading in the southeastern county of Uiseong, especially with forecasts predicting strong winds, officials indicated on Monday.
At 2:34 p.m., the county of Uiseong in North Gyeongsang Province issued an emergency text alert directing firefighters in mountainous areas to evacuate to safety.
The emergency measures were enacted amid predictions of strong winds reaching up to 15 metres per second in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province later in the day.
While the winds are not projected to be severe enough to warrant heavy wind alerts, local meteorologists noted that they would still be strong.
In response to the wildfires, Uiseong County has sent messages to residents advising them to seek shelter in elementary schools, community centers, and gymnasiums.
The adjacent city of Andong has also mandated the immediate evacuation of residents in certain areas to nearby educational facilities.
Earlier on the same day, the acting President urged the government to exert maximum efforts to combat the wildfires affecting the southeastern region of the country.
Upon returning to office after his reinstatement by the Constitutional Court, Han received updates on the wildfires that have been raging since Friday, resulting in at least four fatalities and injuries to nine others, according to fire authorities.
"Relevant agencies must establish a cohesive cooperation system to ensure that the wildfires are fully extinguished," Han remarked during his visit to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.
Later, Han traveled to Euiseong, approximately 180 km southeast of Seoul, to oversee wildfire response and recovery operations and to meet with residents who had been evacuated to temporary shelters.
He instructed relevant ministries and local governments to provide comprehensive support to bereaved families, victims, and displaced residents, while ensuring the safety of the firefighters engaged in battling the inferno.
