President Lee: "Concerns Over Heavy Rain in Geoje and Southern Regions... All Resources Focused on Minimizing Damage"

On August 17, President Lee Jaemyung issued instructions regarding the heavy rainfall in the southern regions, including Geoje in Gyeongnam, stating, "Relevant ministries and local governments must promptly implement the necessary measures on-site and concentrate all resources to minimize damage."

On this day, President Lee wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account, "Above all, the most important thing is preventing any further damage," emphasizing the need for swift action.

On the afternoon of the 17th, a road in Okpo-dong, Geoje-si, Gyeongnam is flooding. 2026.8.17 Yonhap News

President Lee added, "Even after this period of heavy rain ends, the ground may have weakened and river water levels may remain high, increasing the likelihood of secondary damage. Please monitor weather conditions and the situation on the ground closely, and respond proactively to any potential risks."

He continued, "The government, as well, is closely monitoring the situation through the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, and we will remain vigilant to even the smallest warning signs and stay alert until the very end."

He also said, "I ask all citizens to frequently check weather forecasts and disaster alerts, and to actively cooperate with the guidance provided by the government and local administrations."

Additionally, President Lee stated, "Due to climate change, the scope and nature of disasters are changing significantly compared to the past. We will comprehensively analyze new disaster risks and fundamentally reassess our existing response systems to develop measures that ensure the safety and lives of our people."

To public officials and emergency workers—firefighters, police officers, and rescue teams—he encouraged, "Please persevere a little longer, and above all, I urge you to protect your own safety as well."

Meanwhile, President Lee expressed his condolences, stating, "I offer my deepest sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives due to the sudden torrential downpour, and my thoughts and wishes go to those who were injured for their speedy recovery."

On this day, Geoje in Gyeongnam recorded 577.4 mm of rainfall. This is the highest single-day rainfall recorded in the area since weather observations began in 1972. As a result of the record-breaking downpour, as of 10 a.m., one person has died and four people have been injured today.

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