Prime Minister Han Seong-sook on Wednesday instructed relevant ministries to respond preemptively to monsoon-season floods, saying "when it comes to disaster response, it is better to overprepare than to fall short" and urging them to "stay alert to the fact that small signs can lead to major risks and respond in advance."
Han made the remarks during an on-site inspection of the flood response system at the situation room of the Han River Flood Control Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, that day. "Protecting the public from various disasters such as torrential rains and floods is the state's most fundamental responsibility," she said.
Han instructed that "relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Climate, must thoroughly inspect the field until the last moment and immediately supplement any shortcomings."
Han also stressed that flood preparations should be based on worst-case scenarios. "In an era of climate crisis, there are times when past experience or data does not hold. When it comes to disaster response, it is better to overprepare than to fall short," she said, adding, "Stay alert to the fact that small signs can lead to major risks, and respond preemptively."
She further said, "Disaster response must operate as 'one government.' Floods can only be prevented from causing damage when forecasting, dam operation, on-site control, and evacuation are organically interconnected." She added, "Each agency should faithfully carry out its assigned role while cooperating closely as a single response system."
