President Lee Jae-myung emphasized the need to shift the disaster response system from recovery-focused to prevention-oriented during a memorial service marking the third anniversary of the Osong underpass tragedy.
On July 15, at the memorial service held at the Chungbuk Provincial Office, President Lee stated, "We must transition from responding to accidents after they occur to a preventive approach that stops them before they happen." The remarks were delivered by Jeong Seong-hwan, the Chief of the Integrated Communication Office.
President Lee expressed his condolences, saying, "I extend my deepest sympathies to the bereaved families and victims who carry the unimaginable pain of that day in their hearts."
He noted, "The Osong underpass disaster left a painful lesson for our society," adding that there were multiple warnings about the risks and ample time to prepare.
"The consequences of ignoring those signals were devastating," he said, stressing, "We must never forget this tragedy."
President Lee pointed out that due to the climate crisis, heavy rainfall and extreme weather have become commonplace, necessitating a change in disaster response strategies. He remarked, "Heavy rainfall and extreme weather caused by the climate crisis are no longer extraordinary disasters; they are part of our daily lives that we must always be prepared for. Therefore, our responses must also change."
He promised proactive government measures, stating, "The government will take excessive precautionary measures and thoroughly inspect disaster-prone areas, including underpasses, riverbanks, and regions at risk of landslides and flooding."
Additionally, he pledged to establish a robust response system to ensure immediate control and evacuation when risks are detected, saying, "We will not overlook any minor signs of danger, and we will create a system where relevant agencies respond responsibly."
President Lee concluded, "I will not forget that the primary duty of the state is to protect the lives and safety of its citizens," assuring the public that the government will do everything possible to allow them to live their daily lives without worry.
He added, "We will ensure that those who leave their homes in the morning can return safely to their families in the evening."
Meanwhile, as urban flooding and the risk of underpass accidents increase, real-time information sharing and the establishment of proactive control standards among local governments, police, fire departments, and road management agencies have emerged as key tasks in disaster response.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.