South Korean President Apologizes for Flooding in Seoul

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. Photo: AFP/TTXVN

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol apologized to people across the country on August 10 after heavy rains caused severe flooding in the capital Seoul and led to criticism of the city government for its lack of flood control measures.

Speaking at a government meeting on responding to flooding in Seoul and surrounding areas, which left nine people dead and seven missing, President Yoon Suk-yeol said: "I pray for the victims and on behalf of the government, I apologize to the people who have suffered this inconvenience."

The South Korean leader said the government must come up with basic measures to cope with similar situations in the future, carry out emergency recovery work and provide support to the victims.

“I believe we need to apply cutting-edge digital technologies to monitor water levels in all waterway systems across the country, and simulate them so that warning systems can be activated immediately when necessary,” he said.

President Yoon Suk-yeol said that the authorities and local governments need to set up a flood forecasting and warning system in all waterways, including rivers, tributaries, and streams, and utilize all resources to minimize damage to lives and property.

Record-breaking rains since early this week in Seoul and other parts of central and eastern South Korea have submerged cars, flooded low-lying homes and forced hundreds of people to take shelter in schools and gymnasiums.

Three days of heavy rain also disrupted many public services. Many roads in the Seoul metropolitan area were flooded, forcing some train and subway services to be temporarily suspended.

Most services were restored early on August 10, including Seoul subway service./.