Choi Sangmok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Economy and Finance, has declared Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam, where a large wildfire broke out, as a "Special Disaster Area."
On the 23rd, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that this measure was taken for swift recovery and support at the government level, and that this is the sixth time a Special Disaster Area has been declared due to a large wildfire.
Firefighters are conducting nighttime firefighting operations at a wildfire site in Sancheong County, Gyeongnam. Provided by Korea Forest Service
Previously, Special Disaster Areas were declared for the East Coast of Gangwon in 2000, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon in 2005, the East Coast of Gangwon in 2019, and wildfires on the East Coast of Gyeongbuk and Gangwon in 2022.
When an area is designated as a Special Disaster Area, a portion of the restoration costs for damaged private and public facilities is supported by the national budget in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
For affected residents, comprehensive government measures are implemented, including livelihood support, deferment of local tax payments, and reductions in public utility charges.
The government plans to establish specific support measures through a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.
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