‘폭염중대경보’ 시대, 행안부도 ‘중대 대응’ 나서야 [왜냐면]

In the summer of 2023, South Korea experienced yet another record-breaking heatwave. Heatwaves are no longer just seasonal weather phenomena but a major climate disaster threatening human lives. The number of heatstroke patients is constantly increasing, causing serious damage across agriculture, industry, power supply, and the health of vulnerable populations.

As climate change becomes the norm, the country's heat response system must evolve to a higher level. In response, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) introduced the new "Heatwave Major Alert" in 2023, a top-level warning surpassing the existing "Heatwave Warning" and "Heatwave Alert" systems. The Major Alert is activated if the highest temperature reaches 38 degrees Celsius or the maximum temperature exceeds 39 degrees Celsius for over a day in areas where Heatwave Alerts have already been issued.

On December 12th of last year, the first Heatwave Major Alert was issued in Pohang and Gyeongsan in Gyeongsangbuk-do province, marking the elevation of the alert level to the highest possible stage. However, the Ministry of Government Legislation (MGL), which oversees national disaster management, has failed to keep pace with this change.

On December 10th, the MGL issued a "Preparedness" level alert for the heatwave disaster, but only raised it to the "Serious" level on December 23rd. The "Serious" level is activated when the highest temperature in the country is expected to reach 35 degrees Celsius or more for three consecutive days in more than 40% of the nationwide Heatwave Special Alert areas.

The KMA, on the other hand, issues the Major Alert as soon as it deems the nation's life in danger, even if it's just for a single day. This discrepancy in response levels highlights the need for the MGL to establish a comprehensive heat response system and strategy that matches the severity of the threat. The last responsibility to safeguard the lives of citizens during a climate crisis lies with the MGL, not the KMA. It's high time the MGL created a heat response system that matches the seriousness of the threat.