Prime Minister Han issues emergency instructions in preparation for torrential rain

Prime Minister Han Seongsook urgently instructed relevant agencies to respond in an emergency on the night of the 17th, as heavy rain was forecast to begin early on the 18th, mainly over central regions. Prime Minister Han said that the recent rainfall had weakened the ground, increasing the risk of soil runoff, landslides, falling rocks, and retaining wall collapses, and ordered a renewed review of safety measures in vulnerable areas and the evacuation system for residents. She also instructed special inspections in areas that suffered flooding damage from the previous heavy rain to prevent repeat damage. Taking into account that it is the vacation season and holiday period, she also called for preemptive measures that would allow tourists and campers to be promptly informed and guided to evacuate. She instructed that monitoring be strengthened in places with a high risk of flooding, such as semibasement homes and underground roads, and that evacuation and access restrictions be implemented immediately if signs of danger appear. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast that from early morning to the morning of the 18th, heavy rain of 30 to 50 mm per hour could fall in the metropolitan area, Gangwon, and Chungcheong regions, with some areas receiving 50 to 80 mm.