Seoul: President Lee Jae-myung has vowed to enforce strict accountability measures for safety-related disasters that could have been averted. Lee emphasized this point during a government meeting focused on public safety, citing preventable tragedies like the Sewol ferry sinking in 2014 and the Itaewon crowd crush in 2022 as examples of incidents that could have been avoided with proper care and precaution.

According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee stated during the meeting at the presidential office, "In the event that an anticipated accident or incident happens, I will respond strictly from now on." He highlighted the necessity for accountability when lives are lost or serious incidents occur due to carelessness or indifference, which could have been mitigated through a prompt analysis of the causes.

The meeting aimed to prepare for the upcoming annual rainy season and was attended by Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, various local government chiefs, Government Policy Coordination Minister Bang Ki-sun, and vice ministers from safety-related ministries. Lee underscored the preventability of certain crimes and traffic accidents and urged officials to explore methods for reducing the nation's high suicide rate.