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Mayor Park Heong-joon Directly Leads Heatwave Response… Emergency Inspections in Industrial Sectors and Expansion of Shelters for Mobile Workers

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Mayor Park Heong-joon will conduct direct on-site inspections of industrial and construction sites and temporary shelters for mobile workers this afternoon (July 14) from 14:10 to assess the city’s emergency heatwave response and the working conditions of laborers vulnerable to extreme heat.

This inspection follows the issuance of the first heatwave advisory in Busan on June 27, and the earlier-than-usual heatwave warning on June 30. With prolonged high temperatures forecasted, the city is launching a full-scale response to protect workers in particularly vulnerable workplaces.

Busan Metropolitan City has developed a comprehensive response plan under the goal of becoming a “heatwave-safe city” and entered an intensive response phase on May 15.

At the weekly policy meeting on July 7 chaired by Mayor Park, attended by all heads of departments and bureaus, the city discussed enhanced countermeasures against the prolonged heatwave. Mayor Park specifically instructed the strengthening of safety measures in industrial settings.

This year’s reinforced countermeasures include:

• ●Enhanced safety measures for vulnerable workers such as mobile and outdoor laborers

• ●Expansion of citizen-oriented cooling infrastructure

• ●Increased support for vulnerable groups such as the homeless, elderly living alone, and persons with disabilities

In particular, Mayor Park plans to personally visit locations vulnerable to heat, listen to citizens' concerns firsthand, and carry out “emergency heatwave inspections” across various sectors in phases.

Today marks the first round of these inspections. He will visit a high-heat industrial site, the Opera House construction site, and a temporary shelter for mobile workers to directly oversee Busan’s industrial sector preparedness for summer heat.

Special focus will be placed on checking compliance with five key heat illness prevention guidelines in outdoor workplaces:

• 1.Water

• 2.Wind/shade

• 3.Rest

• 4.Cooling storage equipment

• 5.Emergency measures

First, at MCM Co., a leading precision casting company, Mayor Park will hold an informal discussion with the company’s representatives and workers to hear about challenges in business and labor environments. He will also express gratitude for the hard work of on-site laborers performing strenuous tasks in extreme heat while ensuring their health and safety.

MCM Co. is a promising local company that has produced high-quality automotive and shipbuilding components for over 30 years using innovative casting technology.

Mayor Park will urge both laborers and management to prioritize safety to prevent accidents caused by heat exposure and personally encourage those working on the front lines of Busan’s industrial development in the summer heat.

Next, at the Opera House construction site, Mayor Park will receive an update on construction progress and directly inspect whether heat safety rules are being followed at this outdoor site.

Due to the high risk of heat illness among workers exposed to long hours in extreme outdoor heat, Mayor Park will thoroughly review preventive measures including availability of rest facilities, cooling equipment, and drinking water.

• 1.Emergency Expansion of Mobile Worker Shelters: From 4 existing sites to 9 (5 new sites added)

• ○Shelters will be gradually installed at BEXCO parking lot, Busan Citizens Park parking lot, Busan Foundation for Culture, Waterworks Headquarters, and Busan Urban Corporation

• 2.Expansion of Cooling Infrastructure for Public Use:

• ○Emergency heatwave budget of 780 million KRW to install 47 new smart shade structures and provide cooling supplies like mats

• ○Expansion of public-private heat shelters from 1,651 to 2,365 locations (714 new shelters)

• ○Extension of cooling fog system operation until 10 PM; expansion of misting and cleaning vehicles from 50 to 55 units

• 3.Support for Vulnerable Groups (homeless, persons with disabilities, etc.):

• ○Emergency allocation of 100 million KRW from disaster relief funds

• ○Distribution of ice water, electric fans, and other preventive supplies

Lastly, in response to the ongoing heatwave, Mayor Park will visit a newly established temporary shelter (within the BEXCO parking lot) for mobile (platform) workers such as delivery, courier, and substitute drivers. He will carefully inspect the shelter to ensure no essential needs are unmet.

These shelters provide rest for mobile workers who spend long hours outdoors. Currently, four facilities (three centers and one shelter) operate across the city, offering services such as training, psychological and legal counseling, and lectures on health and culture. Each site is equipped with air conditioning, phone chargers, and computers. In 2024, around 80,000 mobile workers used these shelters.

The new “Temporary Summer Shelter” will operate for three months during the hottest season and provide a dedicated rest space with amenities such as air conditioning, water dispensers, and phone chargers—similar to the Dongnae shelter.

Mayor Park will personally inspect this first key measure of the strengthened heatwave response and check for any inconveniences experienced by citizens using the facility.

Mayor Park stated, “This year, most heat-related illnesses are occurring among on-site laborers working outdoors,” adding, “We ask that businesses prioritize safety above all and do their utmost to prevent damage from the heat. Workers are also urged to adhere closely to heat illness prevention rules.”

He continued, “I sincerely thank all the hardworking laborers who are contributing to Busan’s economic development at construction and industrial sites despite the heat. Busan Metropolitan City will meticulously manage safe working conditions for outdoor and mobile workers and leave no gaps in our support measures for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and persons with disabilities. We will dedicate our full efforts to responding to the summer heatwave.”