'Vacation Halted,' Governor Park Wansu of Gyeongnam Focuses on Resident Safety Amid Heat Wave ... "Residents’ Lives and Safety Come First"

Governor Park Wansu of Gyeongnam Province has halted his vacation and returned home to oversee the safety of residents exposed to an unrelenting heat wave that has gripped the region in recent days.

Governor Park had planned his first vacation since the launch of the 9th provincial administration, intending to spend time abroad with his family from August 3 to 7, 2026. However, with the escalating severity of the heat wave and drought, he cut his holiday short by two days and returned alone ahead of schedule.

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province (center), is visiting a poultry farm in Hapcheon County to inspect cooling and ventilation facilities. [Photo by Gyeongnam Province]

On the afternoon of August 6, Governor Park visited poultry and Hanwoo cattle farms in Hapcheon County in succession, inspecting the operation of cooling pads, ventilators, misting systems, other cooling and ventilation equipment, the internal temperature of livestock facilities, water supply, and overall animal management conditions.

Farmers voiced concerns about the extended operation and increased electricity usage of their facilities due to the heat wave, a decrease in animal feed intake, a drop in productivity, and a rise in mortality risks among livestock caused by heat stress.

Governor Park stated, "The longer this heat wave lasts, the greater the livestock damage and the heavier the management burden on livestock farmers will become. We need to meticulously assess the breeding environments and facility conditions at each farm to proactively respond before any losses occur."

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do Province (second from left), is visiting a livestock farm in Hapcheon County to inspect cooling facilities in the barns and the condition of animal management.
[Photo by Gyeongsangnam-do]

He then stressed, "A fundamental transformation in the way the livestock industry responds to heat waves is necessary," adding, "The livestock industry must move away from traditional farming practices and transition to smart livestock management incorporating information and communications technology (ICT) from now on."

He also emphasized, "Because temperatures and humidity are high inside livestock facilities, there is an increased risk of heat-related illnesses for farm owners and workers. Please avoid strenuous work during the hottest part of the day and strictly observe safety protocols, including taking sufficient rest and drinking plenty of water."

Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province (center), is visiting the residentially vulnerable area of Chusan-dong, Masanhappo-gu, Changwon City, and checking in with the residents.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Province]

The following day, on August 7, Governor Park focused on checking the safety of 'climate-vulnerable' groups, such as the elderly and mobile workers, who are particularly susceptible to the extreme heat.

He first visited a residentially vulnerable area in Chusan-dong, Masanhappo-gu, Changwon City, followed by heat shelters for mobile workers, where he inspected the heat wave response measures in place.

The residentially vulnerable area in Chusan-dong has naturally formed on a slope below Chusan Park, which makes it difficult for ordinary or emergency vehicles to access, and is home to elderly residents living alone and people receiving basic livelihood support—groups especially vulnerable to extreme heat.

Governor Park visited the homes of elderly citizens utilizing customized care and emergency safety services to check their air conditioning facilities and living conditions. He stated, "We will continue to provide detailed, resident-focused welfare support so that the elderly can safely withstand even more severe heat waves in the future."

At the 'Gyobang Jangsu Senior Citizens' Center Cooling Shelter' he visited next, Governor Park checked the status of cooling facility usage and inquired after the well-being of the elderly using the shelter. He urged them to refrain from going outdoors during the heat wave.

In response to a request that a village bus be operated to the door of the senior center, he listened to Changwon City officials and asked them, "Please positively consider running low-floor buses so that the elderly can use them conveniently."

He also emphasized, "We will continue to expand the use of emergency safety service devices for elderly people living alone through information and communications technology to further strengthen a smart care system that allows quick responses to emergencies."

Governor Wansoo Park of Gyeongnam Province visited the 'Gyobang Jangsu Senior Citizens' Center Cooling Shelter' in Masanhappo-gu, Changwon City, checked the air conditioning facilities, and inquired about the well-being of the elderly.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Province]

Afterward, Governor Park moved to the 'Masan Mobile Workers' Rest Shelter' established at Odong-dong Culture Plaza.

This shelter, which operates 24 hours a day, year-round, is equipped with massage chairs and air conditioning equipment, allowing mobile workers such as delivery drivers and substitute drivers who work outdoors to escape the heat and take a break.

Governor Park checked each aspect of the cooling conditions, user environment, and the overall operation of the shelter, stating, "Please pay close and careful attention to facility management and operations so that mobile workers exposed to the heat can use the shelter conveniently whenever they need to."

On this day, Governor Park said, "Protecting the lives and safety of our residents is the top priority for the provincial government. We must make sure that no one is left behind in the face of heat waves and other climate disasters and must care for everyone with meticulous attention."

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