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| ▲ President Lee Jae Myung presides over a heavy rain response meeting held at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters in the government complex in Seoul on July 18, 2025. (Yonhap) |
Lee-heavy rains
Lee urges thorough measures to prevent damage from heavy rains
By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL, July 18 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung called on the government Friday to mobilize all available resources to prevent damage and accidents caused by the ongoing heavy downpour.
Lee made the call during his visit to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters as torrential rains battering South Korea for the past three days have left four people dead and forced the evacuation of over 5,000 residents.
"All government departments and agencies should mobilize all available resources and administrative capability" to minimize flood damage, Lee said during a rain response meeting.
He also instructed the Korea Meteorological Administration to quickly provide customized weather forecasts to help central and local governments to take proactive measures.
"In particular, thorough preemptive actions must be taken in vulnerable areas and for at-risk populations, such as those living alone or in semi-basement homes, and regions prone to flooding, landslides or collapses," he said.
On Thursday, the government raised the weather-related disaster alert to its highest level, "serious," in response to the escalating damage caused by the ongoing heavy rainfall.
The headquarters also activated the highest stage of its emergency response system, mobilizing all relevant government ministries and agencies for full-scale disaster response.
The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast more rain in the central and western regions through Friday.
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