Campaigns to support the victims of the massive 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that hit the northeastern coast of Japan on March 11 have swept Korea. (Left: President Lee Myung-bak (left) leads a special emergency meeting on March 11)
President Lee Myung-bak called a special emergency meeting and ordered operations to help quake victims and aid Japan's recovery on March 11. President Lee also sent a message of consolation to Prime Minister Naoto Kan.
More than 100 members of Korea's National 119 Rescue Services were dispatched to Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, for rescue and relief operations, despite low temperatures, heavy snow and the possibility of exposure to radiation. Korean government staff and private organizations have also sent aid to Japan.
The quake was one of the largest ever in Japanese history, and the tsunami that followed was devastating. According to the National Police Agency of Japan, more than 21,000 people are dead or missing as of March 21.
| (From left to right) A Korean rescue worker in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan // Korean rescue in Kamo, Sendai, on March 15 |
Korean rescue workers headed to Sendai on March 14 after the National Rescue Service's inspection on March 12. The team carried out search and rescue operations in Kamo, the area of Sendai most damaged by the quake and tsunami. On March 16, the team worked in Tagajo and Shiogami. Rescue workers had to wear protective gear during the operation to prevent possible exposure to radiation from a damaged nuclear reactor in the Fukuoka region. As the radiation level increased, the rescue workers were forced to move on to Niigata, before flying back to Korea on March 23, carrying with them the thanks of the Japanese government.
Korean celebrities have donated significant amounts of money to recovery projects, as well as held fundraisers for the quake victims. Bae Yong-joon, Choi Ji-woo, Song Seung-heon, Lee Byung-hun, Jang Dong-gun and the girl group KARA, along with sports stars like soccer player Park Ji-sung and baseball players Park Chan-ho and Lee Seung-youp, have all made donations that add up to more than four billion won in total, which is expected to increase as more donations continue to pour in.
| Korean Air staff loading blankets, bottled water and other necessities for relief efforts (Yonhap News) |
Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Mo Chul-min said at a press meeting on March 17 that he will negotiate with Japanese tourism authorities to involve Hallyu stars in volunteer activities to console the quake victims and help recovery efforts.
Korean government organizations, large companies and private groups are also participating in the support campaign by donating to relief organizations like the Korean Red Cross and Community Chest of Korea. Individuals are also getting involved, with many campaigns being organized through social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. (Right: A family donating to the Salvation Army's fund-raising campaign for quake victims (Yonhap News))
Religious groups in Korea have also become involved in efforts to help Japan. Catholic, Protestant and Buddhist groups have sent aid with messages of comfort and condolence, and are actively involved in raising funds to help quake victims. The Salvation Army has taken to the streets, soliciting donations from people passing-by, just as they do with their holiday campaigns.
Japanese ambassador to Korea Masatoshi Muto expressed his thanks while visiting leading Korean news agencies on March 17, saying “The Japanese people will never forget the warm-hearted support of Koreans.”
By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
