문 대통령, 산불 현장 방문,.. '특별재난지역 선포 서둘러 달라'
The president and the prime minister both visited the scene this afternoon, meeting face to face with those left without homes and those who worked against the clock to contain the blaze.
President Moon Jae-in also called for a swift review to name the region a special disaster zone.
Shin Se-min with more.
President Moon Jae-in made a surprise trip to the eastern city of Goseong to show directly... his support for the locals.
Just hours earlier he had ordered the government to review designating parts of Gangwon-do Province as special disaster zones,... which would allow the government to provide special support.
The president had been closely watching the situation since last night,... even calling off a public appearance related to Arbor Day.
Earlier,... Moon attended emergency meetings... where he ordered officials to devote all their resources to getting the wildfire contained.
"Give special attention to firefighters and others who have been dispatched to put out the fire. Local governments should be at the center of preemptive measures to actively evacuate residents from danger zones and prevent the loss of life."
Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon... has been at the scene since this morning,... shortly after he held an emergency meeting with related ministries.
The South Korean government set up the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters... and it declared a national state of emergency,... to more quickly mobilize state resources needed to fight and contain the blaze.
Those living in the region will also be entitled to special government support.
Shin Se-min, Arirang News.
