President Lee urges all-out effort to minimize damage from heavy rains in Geoje, southern regions

President Lee Jae Myung said Monday that he was concerned about heavy rain damage in Geoje and other parts of southern South Korea, and directed the government to focus all its resources on minimizing casualties and losses.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Lee said he was praying for those who had lost their lives in the sudden downpour. "I offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved families, and I wish a swift recovery to all those who were injured," he wrote.

Lee said preventing further damage was the top priority. "Relevant ministries and local governments should swiftly carry out the necessary measures on the ground and concentrate all their capabilities on minimizing damage," he said.

He warned that risks would persist even after the rain stopped, noting that weakened ground and rising river levels could trigger secondary damage. "Please monitor weather and on-site conditions closely and respond preemptively to any hazards," he said. Lee added that the government was closely tracking the situation through the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. "We will stay alert to even the smallest warning signs and will not let our guard down until the very end," he said.

Lee also asked the public to check weather forecasts and emergency alerts frequently and to cooperate fully with guidance from the government and local authorities.

Looking ahead, Lee said climate change was fundamentally altering the scale and nature of disasters. "We will comprehensively analyze new disaster risks, fundamentally review our existing response systems, and work to find ways to protect the lives and safety of the people," he said.

Lee also encouraged the civil servants, firefighters, police and rescue personnel working to prevent and recover from the damage. "Please keep going just a little longer — and above all, make sure to look after your own safety as well," he said.