Kweon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, described the large forest fires occurring nationwide as a "unprecedented national emergency" and noted that the party would enter a forest fire response emergency system on the 26th.
On that day, Kweon stated through Facebook, "The large forest fires that broke out in Sancheong, Gyeongnam, on the 21st, and in Uiseong, Gyeongbuk, and Uljin, Ulsan, on the 22nd, have yet to be extinguished, while additional forest fires are occurring across the country in a serious situation," and added, "The People Power Party will immediately enter the forest fire response emergency system. We will form a special committee for forest fire disaster response and activate it today."
He urged the lawmakers to devote their full efforts to supporting disaster victims. Kweon said, "Members of the National Assembly from the areas affected by the forest fires, along with party members, should prioritize forest fire prevention, securing resident safety, and supporting disaster victims as key tasks," and added, "I hope you visit the shelters for the displaced and share words of warmth and encouragement with the residents."
He also emphasized, "However, please be particularly careful not to interfere with the activities of fire and rescue authorities on site, and if necessary, actively cooperate and coordinate with local governments and related agencies."
Furthermore, he announced that the party would initiate a donation campaign. Kweon stated, "The People Power Party will start with donations from National Assembly members and concentrate all our efforts on practical recovery support activities."
He remarked, "There should be no separation between the ruling and opposition parties when it comes to protecting the lives and safety of the people. I earnestly request bipartisan cooperation from all political sectors," and added, "I hope we can all pray for the swift extinguishing of the nationwide forest fires and the restoration of the people's daily lives."
As the party entered its "emergency system," the People Power Party members, who had been holding a relay press conference in front of the Constitutional Court to "urge the dismissal of the impeachment," decided to temporarily suspend the press conferences. Lawmaker Park Dae-chul stated, "As the forest fires spread nationwide, public concern is growing, and the situation is very serious," and announced, "We have decided to temporarily suspend the press conferences that the People Power Party members had been conducting daily in front of the Constitutional Court."
Meanwhile, the large forest fires that broke out in Sancheong, Gyeongnam, on the 21st, in Uiseong, Gyeongbuk, and in Uljin, Ulsan, on the 22nd, have not been completely extinguished, and additional forest fires are occurring throughout the country. In response, the government issued a national crisis alert for forest fire disasters at the "serious" level for all regions nationwide the day before. According to the government, this forest fire situation has resulted in 18 fatalities, 6 serious injuries, and 13 minor injuries.