Acting president calls for public's cooperation amid 'worst ever' wildfires

Acting President Han Duck-soo delivers an address to the nation on the deadly wildfires that have ravaged the southeastern regions from the government complex in Seoul, March 26. Yonhap

Acting President Han Duck-soo called on the nation Wednesday to help prevent the further spread of deadly wildfires that have ravaged the southeastern region for days.

Han issued the call in an address to the nation, saying the wildfires that began in Sancheong County in North Gyeongsang Province last Friday have spread to neighboring Andong, Cheongsong and beyond, killing at least 18 people and producing 23,000 evacuees.

"The record for worst ever wildfire is being rewritten," the acting president said from the government complex. "We have been confronting the worst ever wildfires by mobilizing all available personnel and equipment but the situation is out of the ordinary."

Han outlined steps the government has taken to respond to the crisis, such as issuing wildfire warnings, mobilizing firefighters nationwide and declaring special disaster zones to enable swift damage recovery and assistance for victims.

He said 128 helicopters, 1,144 military personnel, 3,135 firefighting personnel, 1,186 extinguishing personnel and 4,652 public servants and others have been mobilized for the effort but strong winds have hampered progress, destroying 17,000 hectares of forest and 209 houses and factories.

"As we fear a level of wildfire damage never experienced before, we must focus all of our resources on putting out the wildfires for the remainder of this week," Han said. "Please do not burn banks around rice paddies or fields or other types of trash and please do not carelessly discard cigarette butts."

"When entering a mountain," he added, "please do not carry lighters, burners or any other flammables that can cause a wildfire."

Han said the government will strengthen crackdowns on illegal incineration and handle violators strictly in accordance with relevant laws. He also said the government will review and improve its guidelines for responding to and preventing wildfires. (Yonhap)