The government is stepping up efforts to prevent water-related accidents as the peak summer vacation season gets underway, deploying 439 more safety officers than last year and sharply expanding free life jacket rental stations while tightening patrols in hazardous areas and cracking down on unauthorized entry into restricted waters.
The Ministry of Interior and Safety held a review meeting Thursday on strengthening water safety management during the peak season, chaired by Kim Gwang-yong, head of the ministry's Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters, with relevant agencies in attendance.
The meeting brought together officials from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Korea Coast Guard, the National Fire Agency and local governments to discuss each agency's safety management progress and coordination plans.
The government launched this year's peak-season special safety period on June 12 — a month earlier than last year — and it runs through Aug. 17.
A total of 5,831 on-site safety officers have been deployed, up 439 from last year. The number of free life jacket rental stations has grown to 606, an increase of 483 over last year, with dedicated civil servants assigned to oversee safety management at each location.
However, authorities found that most recent water fatalities occurred because people entered dangerous areas — such as unguarded coastal stretches or rivers — without safety officers present, or failed to follow basic safety rules such as wearing a life jacket.
In response, the government plans to strengthen patrols in hazardous zones in cooperation with local governments, community water rescue teams and voluntary disaster prevention groups, and will install banners and warning signs at accident-prone sites to improve safety guidance.
Fines will be imposed on anyone who illegally enters restricted zones or wades into off-limits waters, and unannounced inspections will be carried out. Safety awareness campaigns will also be expanded through KTX trains, highway electronic message boards, YouTube and village broadcast systems.
The ministry urged the public to swim only at designated sites equipped with safety officers and facilities, and to always wear a life jacket before entering the water. It also said people should stay out of danger zones and restricted areas, and avoid entering the water after drinking alcohol or at night.
When accompanying children, guardians should keep watch at all times, the ministry said. If someone is seen drowning, bystanders should call 119 immediately rather than jumping in themselves, and use a buoyant object such as a tube to assist in the rescue.
"A moment of carelessness on the ground can cost lives, so all relevant agencies must do their utmost to build a solid safety management system," Kim said. "I also ask the public to follow basic safety rules — including wearing a life jacket — whenever they enter the water, so everyone can enjoy a safe summer vacation."
adastra@heraldcorp.com
