Party and Government "Considering Significant Increase in Heavy Rain Disaster Relief Funds... Complete Overhaul of Disaster Response System"

Strengthening Support for Agricultural and Livestock Damage
Establishing Price Safety Measures for Agricultural and Livestock Products Amid Supply Concerns

The People Power Party and the government have agreed to significantly increase disaster relief funds in response to the heavy rainfall. They also decided to improve the disaster response system and present a reform plan next month.

On the 28th, the People Power Party leadership, the government, and the Presidential Office held a high-level party-government consultation meeting at the Prime Minister's official residence in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, where this decision was made. Attendees included Kim Gi-hyeon, the party leader, and Yoon Jae-ok, the floor leader from the party; Han Duck-soo, Prime Minister; Choo Kyung-ho, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance; and Kim Dae-gi, Chief Presidential Secretary from the government side.

Yoo Sang-beom, the senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, said at a briefing on the high-level party-government consultation at the National Assembly, "The party and government reviewed the damage and recovery status from the recent heavy rainfall, as well as measures to prevent additional damage, and discussed plans to reform the disaster response system to cope with rapidly changing climate conditions." He added, "Considering that disaster victims have lost their homes, farms, and means of livelihood, we requested substantial support with a significant increase compared to previous disaster relief funds, and the government agreed to actively consider this."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Spokesperson Yoo stated, "The party and government decided to promptly support disaster recovery costs for the 13 areas initially declared as special disaster zones on the 19th of this month," and added, "Additional declarations will be considered for other affected areas once the central joint investigation is completed."

They also agreed to reform the disaster response system and prepare a plan by August. Yoo said, "A government-wide task force for climate crisis response will be formed to analyze issues related to the recent heavy rainfall, gather expert opinions, and prepare a comprehensive reform plan for the disaster response system by August." He explained, "The plan will include improving the response capabilities of disaster-related public officials and communication and protection systems among related agencies, strengthening flood control functions such as rivers and dams, preventing landslides caused by extreme rainfall, and thoroughly addressing climate crisis issues such as underground passages and preventing recurrence of casualties."

Regarding the additional supplementary budget proposed by the opposition party in relation to the recent heavy rainfall, Spokesperson Yoo said, "The People Power Party opposes it," and added, "The government believes that support for the current damage situation is sufficiently possible by utilizing contingency funds, budget savings, and reserve funds."

Meanwhile, Yoo mentioned that the issue of transferring water management to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport was not discussed at the high-level party-government meeting.

Regarding related legislative measures, he said, "Through a bipartisan task force for flood recovery, bills related to flood prevention and damage recovery will be promptly processed."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Measures to address supply issues of agricultural and livestock products caused by the heavy rainfall were also discussed. Yoo said, "The party and government agreed to increase support funds to ensure practical damage compensation, considering that the recovery costs paid during disasters do not sufficiently cover farmers' losses," and added, "Specific support plans by sector will be announced by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters next week."

Regarding damage to farms, he said, "A swift investigation will be conducted, and support funds will be provided after August." He introduced, "To stabilize prices of chicken, lettuce, napa cabbage, radish, and other products whose supply is expected to be unstable due to the flood, measures such as importing broiler hatching eggs and releasing stockpiled napa cabbage and radish will be taken to increase supply, and discount support for consumers will also be expanded."

Additionally, the party and government agreed on safety measures related to the World Scout Jamboree held in Saemangeum, stating, "Since over 43,000 participants from 158 countries will attend during a period when heatwaves and heavy rains are expected, thorough safety measures will be implemented in areas such as heavy rain and heatwave management, crowd control, food poisoning, and transportation." They also said, "A comprehensive situation room will be operated next week to thoroughly check safety-related matters."

Yoo Sang-beom, senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, announced at the briefing that these decisions were made at the high-level party-government consultation meeting.