Prime Minister Kim Min-seok Visits Flood-Affected Areas in Gwangju

On July 20, 2025, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok visited the flood-stricken area around Sinan Bridge in Buk-gu, Gwangju, where he received a report on the damage from Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jeong. The heavy rainfall that began on July 16 has resulted in 26 fatalities or missing persons as of the 20th. The Prime Minister's office stated that Kim had intended to visit the site immediately after the disaster occurred but decided to wait until the rain subsided to avoid burdening local officials focused on disaster response.

In the morning, Kim dispatched Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryeong to Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do, which has experienced the most significant human casualties. He plans to send the new Minister of the Interior and Safety, Yoon Ho-jung, to assess the situation on July 21.

During his visit to Gwangju, Kim, accompanied by local officials and members of the Democratic Party, inspected the flood damage caused by the collapse of embankments, which led to the inundation of homes. He expressed his desire to visit the site sooner but acknowledged the need to prioritize the recovery efforts of public officials. He emphasized the importance of addressing climate disasters, stating, 'We must deeply consider how to fundamentally respond to such situations in the future.'

Kim highlighted that the immediate priority is to locate the missing individuals and comfort the families of the deceased. He assured the displaced residents that the government would do its utmost to assist in cleaning up their flooded homes. He also mentioned that he would report the situation to the President and seek solutions for immediate support, including the declaration of special disaster areas.

Later, Kim visited a strawberry farm in Hasin Village, Yonggang-dong, where he observed the extensive flooding. He expressed his sorrow over the loss of crops that farmers had nurtured with care, stating, 'Seeing the facilities that held their sweat and hope destroyed is truly heartbreaking.' He extended his respect and condolences to the farmers who are quietly continuing their recovery efforts.

One farmer raised concerns about the disparity in disaster insurance premiums, noting that the cost is significantly higher in urban areas compared to rural ones. Kim promised to look for reasonable solutions.

In his final remarks to the residents affected by the flooding, Kim encouraged them to hold onto hope despite their hardships, assuring them that the government would take full responsibility for restoring their homes.

During a conversation with reporters, Kim suggested that the government should establish an additional communication channel for citizens to directly reach the Prime Minister's office, enhancing public engagement.

The recent heavy rains have also caused damage to national heritage sites, with reports of destruction at Yulgoksa Temple and other locations. As of July 20, the death toll from the ongoing rainfall has reached 14, with 12 individuals still missing.