Baek Young-hyun, Pocheon Mayor, "Proposes Government Measures for Relocation of Accident-Affected Areas"

Baek Young-hyun Announces Measures for Air Force Fighter Jet Accidental Bombing and Damage Recovery
Emergency Disaster Basic Income Payment Under Review, Stabilization Measures for Affected Areas
'0306 Disaster Psychological Support Team' to Be Operated for Psychological Stability of Affected Residents
Pocheon Accidental Bombing Damage Rises to 152 Cases... Total Number of Injured Increases to 31

Baek Young-hyun, mayor of Pocheon City, Gyeonggi Province, held a press conference in the city hall's main conference room on the 10th to announce a comprehensive report on the accidental bombing incident involving an Air Force fighter jet that occurred on the 6th, along with damage recovery measures.

Baek Young-hyun, mayor of Pocheon, is explaining measures at an emergency press conference on stabilization plans for disaster-affected areas related to the declaration of a special disaster zone held on the 10th in the city hall's main conference room. Provided by Pocheon City

Mayor Baek demanded from the government measures to prevent recurrence within the scope that does not interfere with military training, ensuring citizens can live safely; rapid damage recovery and substantial compensation; relocation plans for residents wishing to move from the affected areas; regional win-win development plans utilizing idle military facilities; consolidation of three shooting ranges into one; and designation of 'Opportunity Development Special Zone and Peace Economy Special Zone' to restore the region's image.

Mayor Baek stated, "We will provide emergency disaster basic income using the city's own resources," adding, "It will be paid in cash rather than local currency to ensure convenience for the affected residents." He further added, "The scope and scale of the payment will be decided after discussions with the city council and the Emergency Countermeasures Committee for the affected residents."

Immediately after the accidental bombing incident involving the Air Force fighter jet on the 6th, Pocheon City promptly activated the Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and the Integrated Disaster Site Support Headquarters, assigned dedicated public officials to manage affected residents on a one-to-one basis, provided emergency temporary housing facilities for displaced persons, conducted joint investigations with related agencies, performed safety inspections of damaged facilities, and carried out urgent repairs.

On the 7th, the city strongly requested the government through Gyeonggi Province to declare the area a special disaster zone, and on the 8th, Acting President Choi Sang-mok accepted the request and declared Idong-myeon, the accident site, a special disaster zone. The city received an emergency special disaster safety grant of 300 million KRW from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Consequently, government-level damage recovery and resident support measures are being implemented.

Mayor Baek welcomed the declaration of the special disaster zone, stating, "However, since it may take some time before direct support for the affected residents is provided, Pocheon City will proactively pursue stabilization measures for the affected areas."

Accordingly, the city plans to use contingency funds for urgent repairs of minor damaged facilities and operate a housing stabilization task force for displaced residents. Additionally, a '0306 Disaster Psychological Support Team' will be operated to provide psychological stability for the affected residents.

Mayor Baek expressed gratitude, saying, "I thank everyone for their concern and encouragement for the affected residents who are going through unimaginable hardships," and requested, "Please pay attention so that the citizens of Pocheon, who have borne special sacrifices for national security, will no longer suffer damage or be marginalized."

Mayor Baek also urged the government to establish strong measures to prevent recurrence and emphasized that rapid damage recovery and substantial compensation must be carried out.

He also proposed to the government the preparation of relocation plans for residents wishing to move within the affected areas and the exploration of regional win-win development plans utilizing idle military facilities.

In particular, he strongly requested the consolidation of the three shooting ranges in Pocheon into one, the creation of a national defense industrial complex and tourist facilities on closed sites to promote regional win-win development, the designation of Opportunity Development Special Zone and Peace Economy Special Zone to restore Pocheon's damaged image, and the inclusion of the GTX-G line in the '55th National Railroad Network Construction Plan.'

Baek Young-hyun, Mayor of Pocheon, is explaining measures at an emergency press conference on stabilization plans for disaster-affected areas related to the declaration of a special disaster zone held on the 10th in the city hall's main conference room. Provided by Pocheon City

Mayor Baek emphasized, "We will concentrate all administrative power to ensure practical compensation and support for the affected residents," and "We request the government's active cooperation for the residents' swift return to normal life."

While mobilizing administrative power for damage recovery, Mayor Baek also demanded fundamental measures to prevent the recurrence of military-related accidents, which have repeatedly occurred in Pocheon. He urged, "The three large shooting ranges located in Pocheon?Seungjin Training Ground, Rodriguez Training Ground (Yeongpyeong Shooting Range), and Darakdae Shooting Range?should be consolidated into one to prevent this accident as well as numerous past gun and shell-related accidents."

Furthermore, Mayor Baek proposed, "Please designate a national defense industrial complex for the citizens of Pocheon who have endured damages for over 70 years."

Mayor Baek stated, "The citizens of Pocheon have sacrificed their living spaces and endured all kinds of damages for over 70 years to allow military training that ensures the safety of all citizens of the Republic of Korea," and asserted, "The entire nation and government must seriously acknowledge how much military-related damage Pocheon has endured through this accident."

Meanwhile, the civilian casualties from the Air Force fighter jet accidental bombing incident include 2 seriously injured and 17 lightly injured, totaling 19. Including 12 military personnel, the total number of injured from the accidental bombing incident is 31. Extensive property damage has occurred, including 152 cases involving numerous houses, commercial buildings, vinyl greenhouses, livestock barns, vehicles, and two buildings completely destroyed. Pocheon City stated that it is continuing to receive damage reports and conduct thorough investigations of the affected facilities.