Criticism is strong that not only was the government’s delayed response after the earthquake in Turkiye, but also poor preparations to minimize damage in case of an earthquake.
The government has collected the ‘earthquake tax’ and prepared earthquake-resistant regulations, but doubts are growing that it has not been done properly.
This is reporter Kim Ji-soo.
[Reporter]
Her son screams as her mother dies while waiting for her rescue.
<Zafer Mahmut> “Dear Erdogan (President), how did you become a world leader? Where are you now? Where?”
After the ’72-Hour Golden Time’ passed, the discouragement of the residents turned to despair and anger toward the government.
Criticism intensified when it was revealed that not only the government’s delayed response, but also poor preparation in advance to minimize damage in the event of an earthquake.
Experts note the allegations that non-compliance with building codes has caused more harm.
The New York Times evaluated 온라인카지노that the problem lies in the level of compliance with building regulations, saying that the damage of the building collapsed layer by layer should not have occurred.
After experiencing a major earthquake in 1999 that killed more than 17,000 people, Turkey significantly strengthened earthquake-resistance regulations, and in 2018, it was required to use high-quality concrete and steel bars for buildings in earthquake-hazardous areas, but these were not properly followed.
In particular, the government has been collecting the ‘earthquake tax’ for over 20 years, but questions are growing as to whether the tax was properly used.
President Erdogan was the first to admit wrongdoing by the government.
<Recep Tayyip Erdogan / President of Turkey> “Unfortunately, it is true that we did not respond as quickly as we would like.”
The government has arrested 130 builders for poor construction, but many see it as an attempt to divert public opinion elsewhere.
With Turkey ahead of early presidential elections in May and general elections scheduled to be held before June 18, attention is focusing on what variables the angry public sentiment will play.
President Erdogan, who became prime minister in 2003 after riding on anger against the government after the 1999 earthquake, is facing political judgment for the same reason that the earthquake response was poor in 20 years.