Yoon Designates 11 Additional Special Disaster Areas Including Okcheon, Geumsan, Buyeo, and Iksan

On the 23rd, heavy machinery was deployed at Daecheong Lake in Gunbuk-myeon, Okcheon-gun, Chungbuk to remove the monsoon trash covering the entire surface of the water. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 25th, President Yoon Suk-yeol additionally declared 11 local governments, including Okcheon-gun in Chungbuk, Geumsan-gun and Buyeo-gun in Chungnam, Iksan-si in Jeonbuk, and Andong-si in Gyeongbuk, as special disaster zones due to extensive damage caused by heavy rain.

Jung Hye-jeon, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, stated in a written briefing that afternoon, "Following the urgent preliminary survey on the 15th, which prioritized the declaration of five local governments, the additional declaration of 11 special disaster zones this time reflects the results of a comprehensive detailed investigation by relevant ministries."

Previously, President Yoon had declared Yeongdong-gun in Chungbuk, Nonsan-si and Seocheon-gun in Chungnam, Wanju-gun in Jeonbuk, and Ipam-myeon in Yeongyang-gun, Gyeongbuk, as special disaster zones. The newly declared special disaster zones include five cities and counties and ten eup, myeon, and dong within 11 local governments.

President Yoon told Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min and other relevant ministers, "During this monsoon season, extreme heavy rains exceeding typical intensity have frequently occurred, causing damage not only to residents but also raising concerns about difficulties for the general public due to rising prices of vegetables and other produce."

He added, "Including the areas declared as special disaster zones, the government must concentrate all its capabilities on the entire region affected by the heavy rain damage to ensure that emergency recovery and relief support are carried out promptly. Additionally, please closely manage supply and demand to prevent price instability of vegetables, fruits, and other items."

President Yoon emphasized, "Recently, sudden heavy rains have continued even after the monsoon season ended, and there are concerns about damage from typhoons in August. Disaster safety authorities must not let their guard down even for a moment until the end of summer."

When an area is declared a special disaster zone, part of the restoration costs that local governments must bear is converted to national funding, reducing their financial burden. Disaster relief funds are also provided to affected residents, along with benefits such as exemptions from national and local tax payments and reductions in public utility charges.