Minister Yun Ho-jung: "All available equipment and personnel deployed to Hamyang wildfire... Zero tolerance for personal negligence"

[Financial News] Minister of the Interior and Safety Yun Ho-jung on the 23rd addressed the wildfires that broke out over the weekend, including the one in Hamyang County, South Gyeongsang Province. He said, "We will mobilize all available equipment and personnel to focus fully on extinguishing the wildfires, and we will prioritize swift evacuation of residents to prevent any loss of life, while paying special attention to the safety management of firefighters and other personnel on the front lines."
On this day, Minister Yun chaired an emergency joint meeting to review the wildfire response situation with relevant agencies, including the Korea Forest Service (KFS), National Fire Agency (NFA), Korean National Police Agency (KNPA), Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea, Ministry of Health and Welfare, South Gyeongsang Province, Hamyang County, and the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).
The meeting reviewed the status of wildfires that occurred over the weekend, as well as the response of each agency and the evacuation of residents in connection with the ongoing wildfire in Hamyang County, South Gyeongsang Province. Participants also discussed agency-specific measures for wildfire prevention and response. The wildfire that broke out around 9 p.m. on the 21st in Macheon-myeon, Hamyang County, had a containment rate of 32% and an affected area of 226 hectares as of 8 a.m.
A total of 134 people have been evacuated, and the fire has yet to be brought under control, prompting the first activation this year of Level 2 of the national wildfire response system.
The government is currently concentrating on suppressing the main blaze in Hamyang by deploying 51 wildfire suppression helicopters, 754 personnel, and 119 pieces of equipment. In addition, authorities are taking preemptive measures to evacuate residents and protect vulnerable groups to ensure there are no casualties.
Minister Yun stressed, "The safety of the firefighters and other personnel on the ground is more important than anything else, so please take particular care to prevent any safety accidents when working in high-risk areas."
Noting that drier-than-usual weather combined with strong winds means even a small spark can lead to a large-scale wildfire, Minister Yun discussed stronger wildfire prevention measures and requested that each agency take the necessary actions.
Given that the main causes of wildfires include carelessness by hikers and visitors to gravesites, illegal burning, discarded cigarette butts, and negligence at work sites, the government decided to respond strictly under a zero-tolerance policy to violations such as throwing away cigarette butts and illegal burning.
Local governments will actively guide and crack down on illegal burning and similar acts in areas adjacent to forests, and will strengthen administrative measures such as imposing fines. Relevant agencies also discussed actively pursuing investigations, arrests, and criminal penalties against those responsible for starting fires.
In addition, with the peak outing season approaching and wildfire risks rising, local governments and related agencies agreed to step up wildfire prevention and preparedness measures.
Minister Yun called for stronger on-site inspections in high-risk areas, forward deployment of firefighting personnel and equipment, and tighter monitoring using advanced tools such as drones, along with expanded voluntary patrols by local residents. He also urged authorities to establish and implement swift and carefully tailored evacuation plans for residents in the event of a wildfire so that no casualties occur.
Minister Yun said, "As we saw with the Gyeongbuk wildfires in North Gyeongsang Province last year, a single small spark can escalate into a grave situation that claims dozens of lives and burns thousands of hectares of forest." He went on, "I earnestly ask all citizens to strictly follow wildfire prevention guidelines and actively participate in efforts to prevent wildfires."

spring@fnnews.com Lee Bo-mi Reporter