Seoul City Allocates 5 Billion Won in Disaster Relief Funds for 'Wildfire Damage Support'

Scheduled for Approval at the Seoul Metropolitan Council Plenary Session on the 3rd

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has urgently allocated 5 billion KRW in disaster relief funds to secure resources for areas affected by wildfires.

On the 3rd, the city announced that it had urgently submitted a proposal to the Seoul Metropolitan Council to increase the Regional Exchange Cooperation Fund by 5 billion KRW. If approved at the plenary session held that afternoon, 4 billion KRW will be immediately donated to the Seoul branch of the Korean Red Cross for emergency support in the Yeongnam region, and the remaining 1 billion KRW will be secured as a reserve fund for future disasters such as typhoons and floods.

Yonhap News

On the 24th of last month, Seoul had already provided 500 million KRW in emergency relief funds through the Seoul branch of the Korean Red Cross. In addition, 734 personnel, firefighting helicopters, and 256 fire trucks were deployed.

This additional relief fund came as a result of discussions with the Metropolitan Council following Mayor Oh Se-hoon's visit to the temporary shelter at Andong Gymnasium on the 28th of last month, where he made promises to the disaster victims. At that time, Mayor Oh stated, "Since the wildfire damage is extensive and severe, we will use all resources of Seoul to assist the affected areas," adding, "We will work closely with the Metropolitan Council to ensure the swift execution of disaster relief funds and provide fast and broad support."

The relief funds will be used for the reconstruction of the Yeongnam region, including support for heavy equipment to handle completely destroyed houses, purchase of agricultural machinery, and installation of temporary prefabricated houses.

In addition to the relief funds, the city plans to urgently deploy about 160 volunteers over two days, from the 4th to the 5th, to Andong, Cheongsong, and Yeongdeok in North Gyeongsang Province to assist with shelter environment maintenance, medical services, and other recovery activities. The Seoul Suanbo Institute will also sequentially provide 110 rooms to accommodate disaster victims and volunteers.

Mayor Oh said, "The wildfires in the Yeongnam region, which caused unprecedented damage, are a critical issue that requires the entire nation’s response beyond a regional disaster. The Seoul Metropolitan Council’s approval of the 'Regional Exchange Cooperation Fund Operation Plan Amendment' will provide immediate assistance to the affected areas."