Lee Won-taek, the Governor of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, and the heads of 14 cities and counties are taking proactive measures to minimize the damage caused by the ongoing heatwave and drought.
According to the province on August 5, an emergency meeting titled 'Heatwave and Drought Response Status Check' was held under the leadership of Governor Lee, with the participation of department heads and city and county leaders.
This meeting was convened due to growing concerns over heat-related illnesses and fatalities as the heatwave continues, along with the need for effective management of agricultural and domestic water supplies due to insufficient rainfall.
Currently, heatwave warnings are in effect for 12 cities and counties, with temperatures consistently exceeding 35°C. Notably, Jeonju recorded a high of 39°C and a perceived temperature of 37.2°C on August 4, prompting a severe heatwave warning.
As a result, there have been 142 reported cases of heat-related illnesses, including five fatalities.
During the meeting, key topics included the status of heatwave response efforts, protective measures for vulnerable populations, prevention of agricultural and livestock damage, drought response, and strategies to enhance city and county responses. Effective measures that can be implemented immediately were discussed.
The province plans to strengthen welfare checks and on-site inspections for vulnerable groups, including elderly individuals living alone, those with underlying health conditions, and older farmers. They will continue to operate a protective system utilizing local safety networks.
Additionally, the province will monitor compliance with rest periods at outdoor work sites, such as construction sites, and ensure adherence to heat illness prevention guidelines. Measures to prevent heat damage in livestock farms, including ventilation and water management, will also be intensified.
To address the drought, the province will continuously monitor water reservoir levels and supply conditions, collaborating with cities and counties to ensure there are no disruptions in agricultural water supply. On-site inspections in drought-prone areas will also continue.
Furthermore, the Disaster Safety Countermeasure Headquarters will manage the heatwave and drought situations in real-time, enhancing collaboration with cities and counties to maintain a rapid response system.
Governor Lee stated, "The attention and swift response of each public official are crucial for protecting the lives and safety of our residents. I urge all public officials to ensure that administrative efforts are effectively communicated from the provincial level down to local communities, with a total commitment to response efforts."
Lee Won-taek Appointed Honorary Chairman of Jeonbuk Community Chest
Lee Won-taek has been appointed as the sixth Honorary Chairman of the Jeonbuk Community Chest.
On August 5, Governor Lee received the honorary chairmanship from Han Myung-kyu, the chairman of the Jeonbuk Community Chest, aiming to expand community participation in charitable giving and strengthen public-private cooperation to support vulnerable families and those in crisis.
Governor Lee is the sixth honorary chairman, following former governors Yoo Jong-geun, Kang Hyun-wook, Kim Wan-joo, Song Ha-jin, and Kim Kwan-young.
The role of the Honorary Chairman of the Jeonbuk Community Chest is to promote the value of giving among residents and encourage donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations.
The Jeonbuk Community Chest collects donations from residents and businesses each year to support low-income households, social welfare facilities, families in crisis, and disaster victims, contributing to the spread of a culture of giving in the community.
This year, the 'Hope 2026 Donation Campaign' raised a record 12.3 billion won, the highest amount ever.
The province plans to use this appointment to activate community participation donation programs such as the Hope Sharing Campaign, Good Store, and Donation Leaders, and to strengthen efforts to identify welfare blind spots and support vulnerable groups in collaboration with the Community Chest.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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