Seoul: Acting President Han Duck-soo instructed regional governments Tuesday to make all-out efforts to evacuate residents from wildfire-hit areas in the country's southeast, his office said.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Han's instruction came as wildfires that began in Sancheong County on Friday rapidly spread to neighboring regions, fueled by strong, dry winds. The fires have now reached Andong city and Cheongsong County, significantly increasing the risk of human casualties.
Han urged local governments to "mobilize all available administrative resources to ensure residents in the affected areas can quickly move to safe locations," emphasizing the urgency of the situation. His office also reported that Han has ordered the Korea Forest Service, the National Fire Agency, and the defense ministry to deploy all necessary equipment and personnel to contain the wildfires swiftly.
In addition to these measures, Han highlighted the importance of thoroughly preparing firefighting personnel and equipment, while prioritizing the safety of the crews to prevent any safety accidents. This call for action underscores the government's commitment to maintaining control over the situation.
Later, Han visited the main situation room of the central disaster control headquarters at the interior ministry in Seoul to oversee government responses and assess the damage caused by the fires. His visit aimed to ensure that all necessary steps are being taken to mitigate the impact of the wildfires on the affected communities.