Chungnam Nonsan and Seocheon Declared Special Disaster Zones Due to Torrential Rain Damage

Park Junghyun, Mayor of Buyeo County: "Field Voices Are Not Reflected"

Nonsan City and Seocheon County in South Chungcheong Province, which suffered significant damage from heavy rainfall, have been declared special disaster areas.

On the 15th, the government designated five local governments affected by the heavy rain as special disaster areas as a priority. In South Chungcheong Province, Nonsan City and Seocheon County were included.

Once declared a special disaster area, affected residents are eligible for disaster relief funds as well as reductions in fees for water and sewage, health insurance, electricity, telecommunications, and city gas.

South Chungcheong Province received an average of 286.3mm of rainfall between the 7th and 10th, resulting in two deaths, and the estimated provisional damage is about 51 billion KRW.

However, Buyeo County was excluded from the announcement, prompting Buyeo County Governor Park Junghyun to express dissatisfaction and urgently request more support.

Governor Park told Democratic Party leaders he met at the Buyeo flood site that day, "The inspection team declared the special disaster area based on only a day or two of investigation," adding, "The voices from the field were not reflected at all in the process, and this is nothing but a typical example of bureaucratic administration."

He further emphasized, "For the residents of Buyeo County who suffered from the flood, this is like having their hearts broken twice," and urged, "Please come to the site, examine the situation thoroughly, and provide support."