Water safety management for the summer peak season — 5,831 safety staff and 606 free life jacket rental stations
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
The government is running a peak-season special measures period from June 12 to August 17, 2026, deploying 5,831 on-site safety staff and expanding free life jacket rental stations to 606.
Key facts
| Special measures period | June 12 to August 17, 2026 (run one month earlier than last year) |
|---|---|
| On-site safety staff | 5,831 (439 more than last year) |
| Free life jacket rental stations | 606 (483 more than last year) |
| Enforcement | Fines for people who enter restricted-access zones or go into the water there without permission, plus unannounced inspections |
| Safety rules | Play in the water at places with safety staff and safety facilities, wear a life jacket before entering the water, and refrain from entering the water after drinking or at night |
| Inquiries | Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Disaster and Safety Inspection Division (044-205-4241) |
Last checked:
On July 30, 2026 the Ministry of the Interior and Safety held a 'review meeting on measures to strengthen water safety management during the peak season' and reviewed each agency's progress on water safety management. The government is running the peak-season special measures period from June 12 to August 17, one month earlier than last year, and has deployed 5,831 on-site safety staff, 439 more than last year, while expanding free life jacket rental stations by 483 to 606. The government imposes fines on people who enter restricted-access zones or go into the water there without permission, and carries out unannounced inspections.
Background — why this change
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety explained that most recent water-related fatal accidents happened because basic safety rules were not followed, such as entering risk areas like coastal waters or rivers where no safety staff are present, or not wearing a life jacket. The meeting was attended by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety along with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Korea Coast Guard, the National Fire Agency and local governments.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
Where can I borrow a life jacket?
The government has expanded free life jacket rental stations to 606, 483 more than last year, and is operating them.
What happens if I enter a restricted-access zone?
The government imposes fines on people who enter restricted-access zones or go into the water there without permission, and carries out unannounced inspections.