Interior ministry ramps up water safety checks ahead of peak summer season

The interior ministry said Thursday it is mobilizing all relevant agencies to strengthen water safety management as the summer vacation season begins. Officials convened a coordination meeting on July 30 to review preparedness levels and discuss cooperative measures among central ministries, local governments and emergency response teams.

To cope with earlier-than-usual heat waves, the government moved the start of its special safety period forward by a month to run from June 12 through August 17. The number of on-site safety personnel has increased by 439 compared with last year for a total of 5,831, while free life jacket rental stations have expanded by 483 locations to reach 606 nationwide.

Most recent fatalities occurred in unmonitored coastal areas or rivers where victims entered the water without wearing life jackets. Authorities will intensify patrols in collaboration with civilian rescue groups and install warning banners and signs in high-risk zones. Random inspections and fines for unauthorized entry into restricted areas will also be enforced more frequently.

Public awareness campaigns are being rolled out across KTX trains, road electronic boards, YouTube and village broadcast systems to remind citizens of basic safety rules. The ministry emphasized that swimming should only take place in designated areas with lifeguards present, and that life jackets are mandatory before entering the water regardless of swimming ability.

Kim Kwang-yong, head of the Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters under the interior ministry, urged both officials and the public to remain vigilant. "Even a small lapse in attention at the scene can directly endanger lives, so relevant agencies must do their utmost to establish a robust safety management system," he said. "We also ask all citizens to strictly follow basic safety rules such as wearing life jackets when entering the water to ensure a safe and enjoyable summer holiday."