Beaches Getting Ready to Open for Summer

- Cities, provinces, KCG, NFA, and other related organizations gathering to hold pre-inspection meetings and on-site inspections to prepare for the opening of beaches that are convenient and safe for the public

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Kang Do-hyung) announced that it would be holding a meeting with the relevant organizations and conducting pre-inspections to create convenient and safe beaches nationwide in preparation for the summer season.

 First, MOF will hold a meeting of beach-related organizations on Wednesday, June 18 to check the operational readiness of beaches in each city and discuss cooperation measures for beach safety management.

 MOF will actively request each local government to ▲deploy safety personnel and rescue equipment appropriately, ▲provide safety rules through banners and announcements, and ▲install nets to prevent harmful organisms such as jellyfish and sharks.

 The meetings will discuss ▲strengthening of jellyfish surveillance by the National Institute of Fisheries Science (NIFS), ▲real-time surveillance of rip currents by the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency (KHOA), and ▲establishment of a close cooperative system with the relevant organizations to enhance safety at beaches, including response to water accidents by the Korea Coast Guard (KCG) and the National Fire Agency (NFA).

 Moreover, MOF and local governments plan to conduct on-site inspections by the Minister and Vice Minister beginning with a joint on-site inspection of Jinha Beach in Ulsan and Imrang Beach in Busan—which will open on Friday, June 27 and Tuesday, July 1, respectively—and form an on-site inspection team at each local government to inspect beaches continuously.

 “We will continuously and periodically inspect and manage sites jointly with the local governments, KCG, and NFA and build a rapid accident response system to ensure that not a single accident occurs at beaches this year. We will also make every effort to prepare for the opening of beaches by appropriately deploying safety personnel and equipment and setting up water and water leisure areas to ensure that people can visit beaches safely and conveniently,” Minister Kang Do-hyung said.

 This year, Haeundae and Songjeong beaches in Busan as well as Eulwangri, Wangsan, and Hanagae beaches in Incheon will be the first to open on Saturday, June 21. For more details on the opening and closing dates of beaches nationwide, please visit the Badaon Beach Travel Planner website (badaon.or.kr).