Ruling Party and Government "Will Actively Consider Declaring Flood-Damaged Areas as Special Disaster Zones"

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is giving an opening remark at the emergency party-government meeting to review flood damage countermeasures held at the National Assembly on the 10th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] The government and the People Power Party are considering declaring the areas affected by heavy rain as "special disaster zones" and plan to expand disaster response infrastructure such as drainage facilities and river management.

On the 10th, the ruling party and the government held an emergency meeting at the National Assembly to discuss measures for flood damage countermeasures. Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, said in his opening remarks, "I urge the government to concentrate on damage recovery by mobilizing all available budgets and administrative power," and added, "We will request the government to promptly declare special disaster zones for severely affected areas and prepare practical support measures such as supplementary budget spending, financial assistance, and tax reductions at this meeting."

Sung Il-jong, chairman of the Policy Committee, also emphasized, "We will actively support the central government ministries and local governments to ensure that emergency support for damage recovery can be carried out swiftly," and "We will discuss comprehensive financial support for citizens who suffered flood damage to vehicles, houses, and stores to provide some assistance."

Ban Moon-kyu, director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, who attended on behalf of the government, stated, "We are making efforts for emergency restoration at the damage sites and the return to daily life for disaster victims, and will actively consider support measures such as declaring special disaster zones if necessary." The government plans to prepare housing stability measures for vulnerable areas and promote infrastructure expansion such as drainage facilities and river management in response to this heavy rain damage.

Kim Ju-hyun, chairman of the Financial Services Commission, explained, "We will operate a rapid payment system for automobile damage insurance for vehicle owners who suffered flood damage in this flood," and "When they claim compensation, we plan to prioritize the review process by insurance companies to ensure that insurance payments are made quickly."

The People Power Party announced that through the party-government meeting held that day, they discussed measures such as emergency restoration support, establishment of a public-private integrated volunteer support group, and deferment of maturity repayment for emergency household living stabilization loans. Park Hyung-soo, the party floor spokesperson, said, "Regarding the concentrated heavy rain in the metropolitan area on the 8th and 9th, we agreed to prioritize rapid emergency restoration," and added, "Even before the restoration plan is established, the Ministry of Economy and Finance will support emergency restoration, and the declaration of special disaster zones will also be actively considered."