Government Mobilizes ‘Field Support Team’ to Tackle Drought in Gangneung

As severe drought continues in Gangneung, the government and related agencies have mobilized nationwide manpower and equipment to respond swiftly. On August 30, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety declared a drought disaster in the region and immediately launched a “Gangneung Drought Response Field Support Team,” which has been stationed at Gangneung City Hall since September 1.

The support team is working to quickly assess the situation and coordinate inter-agency collaboration for emergency water supply operations, while also promoting public-private cooperation to spread a “water-sharing culture.”

The Fire Agency has issued a National Fire Mobilization Order, dispatching 71 fire trucks from across the country. The Korea Coast Guard deployed the 5,000-ton Dokdo-class patrol vessel Sambong-ho to provide fresh water, while the Ministry of National Defense has mobilized around 800 soldiers and 400 water tank trucks to transfer water from nearby rivers into the city’s main reservoir, Obong Dam. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport waived tolls for water transport vehicles, while the National Police Agency implemented traffic controls, and the Korea Forest Service supported with wildfire suppression vehicles and emergency storage tanks.

Local governments have also joined the effort. Hwaseong, Incheon, and Daegu are providing bottled water and water trucks. In addition, the government is installing facilities to utilize water from nearby reservoirs and the Namdae River, and working with the Korea Rural Community Corporation and the Ministry of Environment to develop public wells and explore seawater utilization.

Civil society is also stepping up. The National Disaster Relief Association and Community Chest of Korea launched an emergency fundraising campaign on September 2, while companies and civic groups are actively participating in water-sharing initiatives. Gangneung City has already distributed 2.47 million bottles of water to welfare facilities for vulnerable groups, with plans to expand distribution to the general public.

Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Ho-jung stated, “The government is mobilizing all available resources to overcome the drought in Gangneung,” and appealed to the public to “actively cooperate by participating in water-saving and water-sharing efforts.”