Marcos condoles with S. Korea

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday expressed his deepest condolences to the South Korean government following flooding that claimed the lives of at least 39 persons

“We extend our deepest condolences to the people of South Korea for the devastating loss of 39 lives resulting from the recent floods and landslides,” Mr. Marcos said in a tweet.

“The Filipino people are with you, offering our steadfast support during this challenging time,” he added.

The death toll from flooding after days of torrential downpours in South Korea had risen to 40 on Monday.

Among those who died were a dozen people found inside a bus on a submerged underpass in Cheongju, 110km south of the capital Seoul.

South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed Monday to “completely overhaul” the country’s approach to extreme weather from climate change.

Rescue workers waded through thick mud as they drained a flooded underpass in central Cheongju, searching for more victims after vehicles were trapped in the tunnel by flash floods, the interior ministry said, with nine people still missing nationwide.

South Korea is at the peak of its summer monsoon season, and days of torrential rain have caused widespread flooding and landslides, with rivers bursting their banks, and reservoirs and dams overflowing. More rain is forecast in the coming days.

Minister Lee Sang-Min of the Ministry of Interior and Safety said at least 7,540 individuals were evacuated amid the bad weather.

Yoon ordered Prime Minister Han Duck-Soo to mobilize all available resources to minimize the casualties, as more heavy rain was expected on the Korean peninsula. “This kind of extreme weather event will become commonplace -- we must accept climate change is happening, and deal with it,” the South Korean President said during an emergency response meeting Monday.

The idea that extreme weather linked to climate change “is an anomaly and can’t be helped needs to be completely overhauled”, he said, calling for “extraordinary determination” to improve the country’s preparedness and response.

South Korea will “mobilize all available resources” including the military and police to help with rescue efforts, he said.