The National Meteorological Service of South Korea reported an extremely dangerous hydrometeorological situation that caused serious destruction in various parts of the country. The heavy rainfall, which began mid-week, caused large-scale floods and landslides with tragic consequences.
Official statistics confirm 17 human casualties and 11 people whose fate is still unknown. The most severe situation was recorded in the resort town of Kapyong, where a landslide engulfed several residential buildings, taking the lives of at least four people.
Fire services reported an extremely risky situation in the area. In one of the most serious incidents, a 40-year-old man died in a landslide at a local campsite, with two of his relatives still missing. An additional 24 people are blocked in endangered areas.
President Lee Jae-myeon took immediate action, ordering an urgent assessment of the damage and quick identification of disaster-stricken areas. The goal is to provide the fastest and most effective state assistance to the affected population.
The Meteorological Service predicts that the rainfall will likely subside by the end of the day but will be followed by an intense heat wave. The torrential rains that initially affected the southern parts of the country moved north during the night, further complicating rescue operations.
Over 13,000 people were forced to leave their homes due to threatening natural conditions. The scale of the disaster posed serious challenges for local authorities and rescue teams.
Experts emphasize that such extreme meteorological events are becoming more frequent and require extremely quick and coordinated actions from state institutions.