Parliament and weather agency hold forum on dealing with extreme heat
- 6 years ago
There's no way to change the weather, but the authorities are looking for effective and long-term ways to help people cope with the heat, especially some vulnerable groups.
In a forum on Monday, experts, lawmakers and forecasters pointed out some things that might help... like better forecasting and more government assistance.
Kim Mok-yeon reports.
The National Assembly and the Korea Meteorological Administration held a special forum on Monday aimed at responding to the nation's worsening heatwaves.
It brought together more than a hundred people, including experts in the industry, and three lawmakers on parliament's environment and labor committee.
In his opening remarks, the chief of the weather agency said the heatwaves should be addressed in terms of all the ways they affect society.
"I'm expecting today's forum to diagnose the current heatwave problem from various perspectives... and to come up with futuristic and practical countermeasures."
The forum began with lectures about how heatwaves are likely to change in the future, an analysis of their characteristics and then possible responses.
The speakers stressed that technology needs to be used to improve forecasting, pointing out that the current system cannot predict heatwaves beyond the next 10 days.
They also spoke about the expansion of public benefits for those most vulnerable to the heat, such as farm and factory workers... and some foreigners who could be more sensitive to heat related illnesses.
One lawmaker in attendance said that meteorological disasters could be handled better if people paid more attention to them, and promised the National Assembly's utmost support.
"I hope the discussions in today's forum can act as a stepping stone to ultimately solving the heatwave problem. I hope today's event can pave the way to a legal, systematic solution.."
South Korea has been under dangerously hot temperatures in the past couple of weeks.
And with more coming in the next ten days, this summer could beat out 1994 as the country's hottest year on record.
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang News.
In a forum on Monday, experts, lawmakers and forecasters pointed out some things that might help... like better forecasting and more government assistance.
Kim Mok-yeon reports.
The National Assembly and the Korea Meteorological Administration held a special forum on Monday aimed at responding to the nation's worsening heatwaves.
It brought together more than a hundred people, including experts in the industry, and three lawmakers on parliament's environment and labor committee.
In his opening remarks, the chief of the weather agency said the heatwaves should be addressed in terms of all the ways they affect society.
"I'm expecting today's forum to diagnose the current heatwave problem from various perspectives... and to come up with futuristic and practical countermeasures."
The forum began with lectures about how heatwaves are likely to change in the future, an analysis of their characteristics and then possible responses.
The speakers stressed that technology needs to be used to improve forecasting, pointing out that the current system cannot predict heatwaves beyond the next 10 days.
They also spoke about the expansion of public benefits for those most vulnerable to the heat, such as farm and factory workers... and some foreigners who could be more sensitive to heat related illnesses.
One lawmaker in attendance said that meteorological disasters could be handled better if people paid more attention to them, and promised the National Assembly's utmost support.
"I hope the discussions in today's forum can act as a stepping stone to ultimately solving the heatwave problem. I hope today's event can pave the way to a legal, systematic solution.."
South Korea has been under dangerously hot temperatures in the past couple of weeks.
And with more coming in the next ten days, this summer could beat out 1994 as the country's hottest year on record.
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang News.