South Korea's Prime Minister Directs Full Government Response to Heatwave

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has issued an urgent directive for a nationwide, multi-ministry response to the ongoing heatwave. This action follows the elevation of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to its second-highest emergency level, signaling concerns over potential drought impacts in some regions. The Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to oversee and coordinate the heatwave response efforts of all ministries and local governments, ensuring a unified approach.

Local governments have been directed to rigorously inspect and maintain public cooling centers and heat-mitigation facilities, making immediate improvements where necessary. The Ministry of Health and Welfare is tasked with ensuring cooling facilities frequented by vulnerable groups, such as the elderly living alone and residents of single-room accommodations, are operational and to conduct regular welfare checks.

For the agricultural sector, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is to encourage caution for elderly farmers working outdoors through public announcements and to conduct on-site inspections of outdoor work in areas like greenhouses and fields, in collaboration with local authorities. The Ministry of Employment and Labor will monitor compliance with heatwave safety protocols in workplaces such as logistics centers and construction sites, guiding them to adjust work hours or pause operations during peak heat.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Ministry of Agriculture are to provide swift support to minimize livestock and aquaculture losses due to high temperatures, including the deployment of cooling equipment and high-temperature response systems.

Additionally, the Ministry of Environment and Energy is to ensure stable power supply amidst increased cooling demand by monitoring reserve power levels and to manage water resources, including dam and reservoir levels, to prevent shortages, particularly in drought-vulnerable areas. The Prime Minister also emphasized the use of all available communication channels, including public broadcasting, emergency alerts, and local announcements, to inform the public about the heatwave and provide specific safety guidelines.