Jeong Eun-kyeong: 'Health and safety of elderly must come first'

"With the heat wave continuing, the health and safety of our elderly must come above all else," Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun-kyeong said Friday. "The government will further strengthen its safety management systems so that seniors can work in a safe environment."

Jeong visited Hallo Market Du Beonjjae Bom, a community bakery cafe in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, on Friday to inspect an indoor senior employment site, check on the health of participating seniors and hear their concerns firsthand.

She also urged local governments and senior employment program operators nationwide to strictly follow heat wave response guidelines and pay close attention to the health of participating seniors.

Meanwhile, the government has suspended all outdoor activities under senior employment programs due to the heat wave and directed operators to shift to indoor activities. Monthly activity hours have been cut from 30 to 15, and the government has urged local governments and program operators to ensure indoor sites comply with heat wave safety measures, including checking air conditioning and guaranteeing adequate rest breaks.