Changwon mayor cancels vacation to lead city's heat, drought response

Changwon City has activated emergency countermeasures and launched on-site inspections in response to record-breaking heat and drought conditions.

According to the city, Mayor Kang Ki-yoon chaired an emergency response meeting July 29, reviewing the operational status of the city's heat wave task force and assessing conditions across affected sectors. At the meeting, Kang recommended that outdoor workers and farmers avoid working in fields between noon and 4 p.m., and ordered stepped-up monitoring of vulnerable groups, including elderly agricultural workers.

On July 30, when a severe heat wave alert was in effect, Kang visited Bansong Market in Seongsan-gu and a cooling shelter in Bonggok-ri, Dong-eup, Uichang-gu, personally checking the operation of air-conditioning units and conditions for users. He then visited fruit orchards to assist with emergency water supply alongside fire department personnel, and inspected greenhouse farms to assess heat damage.

To get ahead of the heat and water shortage, the city released 600 million won ($423,000) from its contingency reserve. On Saturday, fire vehicles were deployed to supply agricultural water to farmland, and the operating hours of 59 cooling shelters across the city were extended to 10 p.m. on both weekdays and holidays.

The city is also addressing the impact on the fisheries sector. To minimize damage to farmed marine products, it is sharing real-time water temperature data with five fisheries cooperatives and 51 fishing village associations in the area to maintain an on-the-ground response system.

Kang has set aside his summer vacation plans this year to focus on managing the heat and drought response and overseeing city affairs. While encouraging senior staff and employees to take their allotted leave, he is personally directing the emergency response.

"We will do our best to keep our safety net tight so that socially vulnerable people are not left behind, and to get through the summer without any casualties," Kang said.