Government-funded research institutes held an emergency meeting to address wildfire damage. The plan is to propose scientific and technological solutions that can respond to large wildfires.
Kim Young-sik, chairman of the National Research Council of Science and Technology (NST), presided over a meeting on the 27th at the Sejong National Research Complex, attended by the heads of 23 government-funded research institutes, to assess the status of wildfire damage and review ongoing research related to wildfires and disasters.
Chairman Kim said, "I extend my heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families affected by the large wildfires," and noted, "This wildfire is a massive disaster caused by nature, but the scientific and technological community must dedicate itself to proactive technology development to overcome this."
The government-funded research institutes shared the status of technology development aimed at preventing wildfire damage and enabling early suppression. The Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources announced plans to provide landslide risk area prediction data by comprehensively analyzing long-term forecast data from the Korea Meteorological Administration, the Korea Forest Service, and the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources. Director Lee Pyung-koo stated, "We will also collaborate with the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology to enhance precision and effectiveness."
Currently, government-funded research institutes are developing various firefighting technologies. Once development is complete, it is expected to be used for wildfire suppression as well. Notable examples include gas hydrate extinguishing agents and firefighting technologies for inaccessible fire response, research on advanced technologies for rapid response at disaster sites, and the development of infrared imaging analysis and lightweight technologies for non-visible disaster sites.
NST stated it will develop synergistic disaster response technologies by integrating the technologies of individual institutions.