Strengthening the 'Pan-Government Response System' Against Extreme Heat... Emergency Response Bodies Set Up by Related Ministries

Distribution of Cooling Supplies to Elderly Farmers; Mobile Medical Services Provided
Inspection of Vulnerable Worksites Such as Construction Sites and Logistics Centers
"We Will Put the Lives and Safety of the Public First"

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters is further strengthening its pan-government response system to protect the lives and safety of the public from the ongoing extreme heatwave.

An elderly man is walking carrying bottled water near Tapgol Park in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Agency 2026.8.3

Among the 23 deaths caused by heat-related illnesses this year, 19 victims (82.6%) were elderly people aged 65 or older, signaling the urgent need for special protection measures. Of these, 7 deaths (30%) occurred in rural areas such as rice paddies and fields, which constitutes the largest portion, while 6 deaths (26.1%) took place at indoor and outdoor workplaces.

Accordingly, the government is focusing all administrative capacity on on-site, field-based response to prevent casualties, especially among the elderly, agricultural sites, and workplaces both indoors and outdoors. Led by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, the government is strengthening its pan-government response by establishing emergency response bodies (such as accident response support headquarters) across related ministries including the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of Employment and Labor, ensuring there are no gaps in the sector-specific response.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is prioritizing the protection of elderly farmers and prevention of damage in the agriculture and livestock sectors. Cooling supplies are being distributed to elderly farmers, and visiting medical services are provided via mobile clinic buses in rural areas. In addition, the supply of preventive materials such as heat stress stabilizers to minimize damage to livestock and crops will be expanded. The Ministry of Health and Welfare is promoting measures to protect vulnerable groups such as seniors living alone.

Yoon Hojung, Minister of the Interior and Safety. Photo by Yonhap News

Tailored protection is being enhanced with due consideration of the characteristics of vulnerable groups, alongside strengthened on-site inspection and support for cooling supplies. Furthermore, the operation of senior centers designated as cooling centers will be closely monitored to ensure that seniors aged 65 and above can use them safely.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor is responsible for workplace supervision and inspection. Targeting vulnerable worksites such as construction sites and logistics centers, the Ministry will intensively check whether appropriate measures for work suspension at each heatwave alert stage are being implemented. Thorough supervision will also ensure all on-site workers, including migrant laborers, can work safely by fully adhering to the five key heatwave safety rules.

Meanwhile, on August 9, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters will convene a "Heatwave Disaster Response Meeting" with the participation of related ministries to comprehensively review the status of responses by each organization and to discuss additional measures in preparation for a prolonged heatwave.

Yoon Hojung, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated, "In response to the extreme heat, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, in close cooperation with relevant ministries and local governments, will focus all administrative resources to ensure that heatwave and drought countermeasures are thoroughly implemented on the ground. The government will operate a pan-government all-out response system with the highest priority on protecting the lives and safety of the public."

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