Jin Jinsook Urges Government to Swiftly and Decisively Declare Special Disaster Zone

"Proactive Disaster Response Requires
a 'Preemptive Declaration' Approach"

Jin Jinsook, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker.

Jin Jinsook, a lawmaker of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Gwangju Buk-gu Eul, has called on the government to swiftly and decisively declare a special disaster zone for local residents affected by the record-breaking heavy rain that recently struck Gwangju.

On July 22, Jin issued a press release detailing the shocking impact of the torrential downpour on citizens and criticized the government's traditionally passive disaster response. She stated, "The extreme rainfall of 426mm has gravely threatened the right to survival of local residents," and argued, "A special disaster zone should be declared preemptively, not after damage assessments are completed."

After visiting the affected sites herself, Jin vividly described the dire conditions of flooded households. She emphasized, "Having witnessed the despair on residents' faces and their household goods turned into waste, I believe that declaring a special disaster zone is not merely a benefit, but a fundamental duty of the state."

Jin further stated, "If we failed to prepare preventive measures that might seem excessive for disaster response, we must at least establish recovery measures that might seem excessive." She added, "Rapid support is needed, even if it means making a direct recommendation to the president or taking other extraordinary steps."

Currently, Gwangju has reported one death and one missing person, with property damage affecting 1,311 locations. In particular, the scale of damage in Buk-gu has already exceeded the threshold for declaring a special disaster zone.