The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) has been a focal point during Yoon Ho-jung's first year as Minister of the Interior and Safety. The increasing frequency of unexpected disasters has sharpened his focus on the principle that "the safety and lives of citizens are the nation's top priority."
In 2025, the country faced unprecedented challenges, including major wildfires that caused the largest forest damage on record, the hottest summer since 1973, record rainfall exceeding 100mm per hour, and severe drought conditions not seen in 108 years. This week, forecasts predict heavy rainfall across the nation, raising concerns about landslides and flooding. Yoon began his tenure with a meeting of the Central Disaster Safety Headquarters during heavy rain and marked his one-year anniversary on July 20 with another meeting focused on the same issue.
Yoon's first year has been characterized by a shift from reactive to proactive measures, and from departmental responses to a comprehensive national approach in dealing with these multifaceted crises.
Proactive measures minimize casualties during heavy rain and heatwaves
The government established a comprehensive plan for natural disaster response on May 12, designating a special response period from May 15 to October 15 for a full-scale approach.
A notable change has been the redefinition of "danger zones." Instead of focusing solely on areas with a history of flooding, the criteria have expanded to include three major types based on causes: landslides, river disasters, and underground spaces. This has increased the number of areas at risk of casualties from 8,964 to 9,412.
The proactive evacuation system has also been strengthened. A total of 24,525 individuals, including the elderly who may struggle to evacuate on their own, have been designated as priority evacuees, with 35,697 residents matched one-on-one with evacuation support teams, doubling the previous year's efforts.
Disaster information dissemination has been enhanced. To supplement the limitations of disaster text alerts, 3,033 civil defense sirens, 19,030 village broadcasting systems, and 25,128 warning facilities have been mobilized.
On-site management has shifted to a "repeated inspection" system. Regular checks before rain and clean-up after rain have been institutionalized for over 4.23 million drainage systems, achieving a maintenance performance rate of 139.9%.
As a result of these measures, the completion rate for disaster recovery projects before the monsoon season reached 93.7%, the highest in the past decade, and there have been no reported casualties to date.
The response to heatwaves has also shown positive results. New heatwave alerts and tropical night warnings have been established, focusing on vulnerable populations and outdoor workers. As a result, heat-related illnesses have decreased by 37% from 1,615 last year to 1,019, and fatalities have dropped by more than half.
Wildfire incidents reduced by 99%; focus on on-site disaster response
In addition to natural disasters, Yoon has emphasized on-site command in responding to social disasters. He has personally overseen major incidents, including a factory fire in Daejeon, an explosion in Yuseong District, and a logistics center fire in Incheon. Concurrently, he has provided support for victims through disaster psychological recovery assistance and emergency funding.
Following the collapse of an aging bridge in Seosomun, a nationwide survey of 115 D and E grade aging bridges was conducted, leading to improvements in regulations. The fire in an old residential building in Eunpyeong District prompted a review of safety inspection systems for multi-family housing.
The response to wildfires has been highlighted as a significant achievement. After last year's major wildfires, a comprehensive plan involving 11 agencies was established, resulting in a 99% reduction in wildfire-affected areas this spring, with only one reported fatality. The average time to extinguish fires has also been significantly reduced from 3 hours and 44 minutes to 1 hour and 34 minutes, demonstrating the effectiveness of initial responses and proactive evacuations.
Safety as a right: Expanding national responsibility in laws, systems, and recovery
Another key aspect of Yoon's first year has been the institutionalization of safety measures. The Life Safety Basic Act, passed in May at a Cabinet meeting, explicitly defines citizens' right to safety and the state's responsibility for protection, marking a significant legislative achievement 12 years after the Sewol ferry disaster. This law also enhances the reliability of accident investigations through the establishment of independent investigative bodies.
The national role in recovery efforts has also expanded. Last year, 2.8498 trillion won was allocated for recovery from heavy rain, with an additional 214.4 billion won in disaster special grants to alleviate local financial burdens.
Support for victims of social disasters has continued, with direct communication with families affected by the Sewol ferry, Itaewon, and Osong underpass tragedies through initiatives like "Memory, Comfort, and Healing Conversations," along with follow-up measures such as joint audits and victim support teams.
Additionally, efforts to address illegal structures along rivers and valleys have intensified. A nationwide re-survey identified 91,264 cases of illegal occupancy, and a dedicated organization, along with 20 billion won in disaster special grants, has been mobilized to expedite remediation efforts. Yoon has consistently emphasized that "we will not tolerate illegal and dangerous conditions" during his site visits.
A Ministry of the Interior and Safety official stated, "Protecting the lives and safety of citizens is the nation's top priority, and we have strived to respond to disasters at an excessive level, while thoroughly preparing and preventing them proactively."
The official added, "Under Minister Yoon Ho-jung's consistent principles and direction over the past year, we have been managing disaster safety in response to wildfires, heavy rains, and large-scale fires. We will do our utmost to ensure the safety of the public's daily lives."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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