Yongin City Launches All-Out Effort for Citizen Safety Amid Record Heatwave... Full Mobilization of Public-Private Response Network

Yongin City Mobilizes Full Support for Vulnerable Groups and Outdoor Workers

Yongin Launches Emergency Response as Heatwave Prolongs

Comprehensive Measures: Mobile Worker Shelters, Support for Farming and Livestock Sectors

Expansion of Cooling Shelters, Distribution of Ice Water, and Umbrella Rental Services

Yongin Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Sang-il) has rolled out a comprehensive response to the prolonged record-breaking heatwave, taking wide-ranging measures from protecting vulnerable groups and outdoor workers to preventing losses in agriculture and livestock farming, and operating cooling shelters and water play areas.

Children cooling off at the 'Jiseok 1 Children’s Park' water playground, which began operating on the 1st in Yongin Special City. Provided by Yongin City

On August 6, Yongin City announced that it has established its "2026 Comprehensive Heatwave Response Plan" and has been operating a heatwave response taskforce (TF) since May. Notably, the city has strengthened on-site response capabilities through a public-private cooperation system that includes not only administrative agencies but also the local disaster prevention corps, social welfare organizations, and community support staff.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, between May 15 and August 4, a total of 2,441 cases of heat-related illness were reported nationwide, with 31 cases occurring in Yongin. When a heat-related illness is reported, the city has a system in place to connect patients with emergency rooms at four hospitals—Davose Hospital, Yongin Seoul Hospital, Yongin Severance Hospital, and Gangnam Hospital—for immediate treatment.

The places where patients suffered heat-related illnesses included outdoor worksites (26%), roadsides and sports fields (19%), and farmland (14%). As such, there is a growing call for tailored measures to protect those most at risk, such as the vulnerable, migrant workers, and people in the agriculture and livestock sectors, where the damage from extreme heat is expected to be most severe.

Support has also been strengthened for farmers and livestock producers who are directly exposed to heatwaves. The city distributed shading hats to 1,960 farms and helped 860 households enroll in crop disaster insurance. It also inspected 81 old facility greenhouses. For livestock farms, the city supported installation of ventilation, cooling, and insulation systems, provided immunity-boosting agents, facilitated participation in livestock disaster insurance, and used disinfection vehicles to spray water on barn walls.

At the "Mobile Worker Shelters" in Suji, Giheung, and Cheoin Districts, bottled ice water and snacks are provided and air conditioning runs 24 hours a day. The city is distributing heat relief supplies for the safety of mobile workers, and is exploring ways to expand the function of these shelters to improve services.

Cooling fog installed on the streets by Yongin Special City. Provided by Yongin City

For the protection of vulnerable groups such as elderly residents living alone, nine customized elderly care service agencies in the region, along with township, town, and neighborhood offices, 23 dedicated social workers, and 300 community care staff, are participating in checking health and well-being.

The city is also increasing heatwave mitigation facilities. Yongin is pushing to expand the current 85 designated cooling shelters—now mainly in use—to include more public facilities such as libraries, museums, and administrative welfare centers. When a heatwave warning is issued, water trucks operate on major roads, shade canopies are provided at crosswalks and traffic islands, and cooling fog is expanded in parks and other spaces.

Urban water play areas where children can enjoy themselves are also serving as places for people to cool down. The city opened a new water play facility at "Jiseok 1 Children's Park" in Sangha-dong, Giheung District, on August 1 with an investment of 700 million won. Including 12 other sites like Hansuphyeotbit Neighborhood Park, which have been in operation since last month, there are now 13 water play areas serving as relaxation spots for families.

Since August 3, the city has been distributing bottled ice water to vulnerable groups at locations such as Yongin Central Market Station in Cheoin District, Giheung Station in Giheung District, and areas around Suji District Office. In addition, 43 locations including city hall, district offices, and administrative welfare centers now operate "Conscience Umbrella Rental Centers," where citizens can freely borrow umbrellas to shield themselves from the heat. "Conscience Umbrella Rental Centers" are a hands-on, everyday heatwave prevention policy tailored to daily life.

If the heatwave warning is raised to a severe level, the city plans to activate a "Heatwave Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters" to manage the disaster situation and immediately implement emergency livelihood support, rapid facility restoration, and provide medical and quarantine services.

'Conscience Sunshade Rental Center' operated by Yongin Special City. Provided by Yongin City

A Yongin City official stated, "As unprecedented damage from the heatwave is occurring nationwide, Yongin Special City is proactively operating policies to safeguard the health and safety of its citizens through public-private cooperation." He added, "We are doing everything possible to ensure that support measures for protecting vulnerable groups and outdoor workers, who are at greatest risk, are quickly implemented, and we will spare no effort in providing detailed consideration and support."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.