Baek Young-hyun, Mayor of Pocheon, "Will Make Every Effort to Restore the Daily Lives of Affected Residents"

Mayor Baek Young-hyun to Hold Emergency Press Conference on Special Disaster Zone Declaration and Stabilization Measures for Affected Areas on the 10th
Number of Affected Households Rises from 58 to 142, Injuries Increase from 17 to 19

Baek Young-hyun, mayor of Pocheon City, Gyeonggi Province, will announce support measures for stabilizing the affected areas related to the declaration of a special disaster zone at the Pocheon City Hall main conference room on the 10th.

Baek Young-hyun, mayor of Pocheon City, is holding a press conference at the site of the accidental bomb release by an Air Force fighter jet in Nogok-ri, Idong-myeon, Pocheon City, Gyeonggi Province on the 6th. Photo by Pocheon City

The press conference was organized to explain the stabilization measures and support plans for the affected areas in relation to the fighter jet bombing accident that occurred in Idong-myeon on the 6th, and to present recommendations to the government.

Pocheon City plans to promote △emergency recovery activities △operation of a disaster psychological support team △consideration of emergency disaster basic income support for affected residents △operation of a housing stabilization task force to aid recovery and support for residents.

Additionally, the city plans to recommend to the government △establishment of measures to prevent recurrence △substantial compensation for damages △formulation of relocation measures △exploration of regional win-win development plans utilizing idle military facilities.

Baek Young-hyun, mayor of Pocheon City, stated, “I would like to once again express my deep condolences to the affected residents,” adding, “Above all, we will prioritize the restoration of residents’ daily lives and do our best to ensure that practical support is provided.”

Meanwhile, the number of civilian households affected by the fighter jet bombing accident has increased from the initial 58 households to 142 households. The number of civilian injuries also rose from 17 to 19.

According to Pocheon City on the 9th, the number of affected civilian households initially counted as 58 due to the fighter jet bombing accident increased to 99 households by the morning of the previous day, and further rose to 142 households as a second investigation was conducted. Damage to buildings was confirmed as 1 completely destroyed, 3 partially destroyed, and 138 slightly damaged.

The number of civilian injuries, which was 17 until the morning of the previous day, increased by 2 to 19. Among them, 2 were seriously injured and 17 had minor injuries.

Currently, 22 households are evacuated; among them, 6 households with 14 people are staying at a nearby condo, 4 households with 8 people are staying at a motel. Three households with 5 people have evacuated to relatives’ homes, and 9 households with 17 people who completed temporary repairs have returned home.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Gyeonggi Province, and Pocheon City resumed the third damage survey and safety inspection from 8:30 a.m. on the same day, deploying about 50 personnel. Experts from the province and the Ministry of National Defense will lead focused inspections on the safety of electrical and gas facilities and building structures.

Choi Sang-mok, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, declared the affected area in Pocheon a special disaster zone on the 8th.

Baek Young-hyun, mayor of Pocheon City, said, “It has become possible to promote damage recovery and resident support at the government level,” and added, “We welcome the government’s prompt declaration of a special disaster zone to enable the swift return of affected residents to their daily lives.”