Rep. Park Hyungsoo Proposes Special Act on Recovery and Regional Reconstruction from Large-scale Wildfire Damage

Legal Basis Established for Supporting Large-Scale Wildfire Damage in North Gyeongsang, South Gyeongsang, and Ulsan
Prompt Action Sought in Connection with the Supplementary Budget

Park Hyungsoo, a National Assembly member from the People Power Party (representing Yeongju, Yeongyang, Bonghwa, and Uljin in North Gyeongsang Province, and chairman of the North Gyeongsang Provincial Party), has proposed a "Special Act for the Restoration of Large-Scale Wildfire Damage and Regional Reconstruction" on the 15th to support recovery from the recent large wildfires in North Gyeongsang, South Gyeongsang, and Ulsan, and to aid in regional reconstruction.

Hyungsoo Park, Member of the National Assembly of the People Power Party (Yeongju, Yeongyang, Bonghwa, Uljin, Gyeongbuk, Chairman of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Party)

This special act establishes a legal basis for the government and local authorities to provide broad and practical support for the large-scale wildfire damage that occurred between March 21 and 30 in areas such as Uiseong, Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and Yeongdeok in North Gyeongsang Province; Sancheong and Hadong in South Gyeongsang Province; and Ulju-gun in Ulsan.

The bill includes various support measures such as: ▲ livelihood and housing support for affected residents ▲ setting support funds at a level that enables practical housing restoration ▲ special support for agriculture, forestry, fisheries, small and medium-sized enterprises, and small business owners ▲ tax reductions and other diverse forms of assistance for those affected.

Additionally, it contains measures for strengthening disaster response capabilities, such as: ▲ creating apartment complexes and restoring forests ▲ comprehensive plans for regional reconstruction, including tourism complex development ▲ upgrading wildfire prediction and evacuation systems ▲ expanding on-site response equipment and infrastructure.

In particular, the act also seeks to implement substantial financial support and administrative streamlining through ▲ increasing the national subsidy rate ▲ applying special cases for local allocation tax ▲ simplifying various licensing procedures and suspending regulations.

Co-sponsors of this special act include lawmakers representing wildfire-affected regions, such as Kim Hyeongdong (Andong, Yecheon), Lim Jongdeuk (Yeongju, Yeongyang, Bonghwa), Shin Seongbeom (Sancheong, Hamyang, Geochang, Hapcheon), Seo Beomsu (Ulju, Ulsan), Seo Cheonho (Sacheon, Namhae, Hadong), as well as Lee Manhee, chairman of the People Power Party’s Special Committee on Wildfires, Lim Ija, Song Eonseok, Kim Jeongjae, Koo Jageun, Jeong Heeyong, Lee Sanghwi, and Jo Jiyeon, among many other lawmakers from North Gyeongsang Province.

Representative Park stated, "This special act focuses on addressing the blind spots that were not covered by existing systems and establishing practical support standards so that residents who lost their homes can actually rebuild. Together with the government’s supplementary budget proposal, I will do my utmost with lawmakers from the affected regions to ensure this bill passes the National Assembly as soon as possible."

If this special act passes, it is expected to contribute to the swift recovery of daily life for affected residents, revitalization of the local economy, and the advancement of disaster response systems.