[Image] 08-08-98 : Editorial; Rain Disaster Again

     Heavy rains pounded the peninsula, first the southern provinces last
     weekend and then the Seoul-Kyonggi region five days later. More than
     270 people are dead or missing and millions are suffering economic
     losses from flooded farms, destroyed homes and shops and washed-away
     roads, bridges and dikes.

     In the face of the awesome power of Mother Nature, human beings tend to
     feel helpless. But instead of succumbing to despair, we should all try
     to draw on our resources and do what we can to quickly repair the
     damage and mitigate the suffering of the flood victims. The worst may
     be over but another disaster could visit the country next week or next
     month, or most certainly in the next monsoon season.

     To minimize natural calamities, the weather forecasting system needs to
     be improved. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA)'s
     computerized weather data analysis capabilities have not been updated
     for the past few years because of its low budget. It is also important
     that Korea establish a close cooperative system with U.S. military
     authorities to exchange weather data. With today's advanced
     technologies, any sudden change of weather can be forecast more than
     three hours in advance. But in this country, people usually hear KMA's
     heavy rain warnings while watching the rain already thrashing their
     windows.

     The government has the Central Anti-Calamity Headquarters established
     at the Construction-Transportation Ministry, which is supposed to
     direct relief and rehabilitation measures during times of natural
     disasters. Unfortunately, it has been reduced to a unit compiling
     statistics on disaster-related casualties and property damage.

     A single government authority that can coordinate all official
     activities, including the military, for damage control and prevention
     is urgently needed. That authority can best be exercised by the Prime
     Minister's Office which can effectively control all related government
     agencies, including the ministries of Construction-Transportation,
     Administration-Autonomy and National Defense.

     Once again the Army exposed its lack of readiness against natural
     disaster with the loss of a dozen personnel, including officers, in
     rain-caused accidents. Since 60 Army personnel on front-line duties
     were killed in landslides in July 1996, the Defense Ministry has made
     detailed instructions on safety precautions for all military units. It
     seems that individual commanders forgot that recent tragedy; they
     failed to heed the ministerial directives.

     They should have thoroughly checked all installations in the rainy
     season _ considering that military barracks are usually built on
     hillsides. Commanders were specifically instructed to move their
     personnel to safe open spaces if there was any doubt about the safety
     of their barracks. During periods of disasters, military personnel and
     their equipment should be extensively employed in rehabilitation
     projects, except for those deployed along the Demilitarized Zone.

     This time, damage is concentrated in the northern Kyonggi Province
     where there are many Army units. Close military-civilian cooperation is
     mandatory for quick and effective restoration of damaged public
     facilities.

     It should also be noted that the northern cities of Paju, Munsan,
     Uijongbu and Tongduchon generally lacked solid infrastructure,
     including communication and drainage systems. They began as military
     camp towns after the Korean War and grew up with the presence of U.S.
     Army units, so city planning was not adequate. Hence, they are more
     vulnerable to natural disasters.

     Government authorities are advised to work out long-term development
     plans for these cities which could become major industrial centers when
     reunification is realized. The government, in the throes of an economic
     crisis, lacks sufficient financial resources for the rehabilitation of
     flooded areas.

     While self-help should be stressed for local communities and individual
     families in the flooded areas, we entreat all citizens and private
     businesses to participate in relief activities to reduce the sufferings
     of the victims.

     This summer, torrential rains are pounding the Asian continent. In
     particular, the northeastern countries of China, Japan and Korea have
     been subjected to the most severe natural calamities. Nature is
     indiscriminate in its onslaught but we can make a difference by
     exhibiting close government-private sector cooperation to fight it.

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