Seoul: Acting President Han Duck-soo announced on Thursday that the government is committed to achieving a "lasting" recovery from the nation's most devastating wildfires through comprehensive strategies focused on climate change response and local economic revival. Han's remarks came during a government meeting to assess recovery progress following the catastrophic wildfires that recently struck the southeastern provinces of North and South Gyeongsang.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Han emphasized that recovery efforts will extend beyond mere restoration of the affected areas. "We will not stop at simply restoring the previous state but make a lasting recovery," Han stated. His plan includes implementing broad measures to tackle climate change, rejuvenate local economies, and safeguard ecosystems, ensuring that wildfire-affected regions are restored to their former vitality.

Han highlighted the critical need to address housing challenges for over 3,700 displaced individuals and directed the health ministry to devise specific support strategies for senior citizens who have lost their homes. He also called upon the environment and oceans ministries to implement thorough measures to prevent pollution from wildfire debris and to prepare for potential wind and flood damage in the upcoming months.

"I ask each ministry and local government to stay alert and do their best to protect the people's lives and property through preemptive measures to an excessive degree and continuous inspections," Han urged.

The wildfires, which ignited on March 21 in Sancheong, South Gyeongsang Province, and the following day in Uiseong, have been deemed the worst in South Korea's history, resulting in 75 casualties, including 31 fatalities. The damage is provisionally estimated to cover 104,000 hectares.