Governor Kim Dongyeon Visits Gapyeong Flood Recovery Site to Volunteer

Gyeonggi Province continues to carry out flood recovery efforts in Gapyeong County, which suffered significant damage due to heavy rainfall, by deploying volunteer teams. On July 31, Governor Kim Dongyeon visited the volunteer site to participate in the recovery work.

Governor Kim Dongyeon visited the affected area of Yulgil 1-ri in Sang-myeon, Gapyeong County to inspect the recovery status. Upon seeing damaged vinyl tents and fields covered with soil and debris, he received gloves on the spot and joined the flood recovery efforts.

Yulgil 1-ri is a region where more than 90% of the farmland is vineyards. Due to the torrential rain, rocks and branches from nearby mountains were swept down into the fields.

Governor Kim filled bags with soil and transported them outside the fields. He also helped volunteers remove the vinyl from the tents and guided them to use the shelter bus and coffee truck so they would not become exhausted from the heat.

Governor Kim stated, "We must devote our sincerity and care as if our own family had suffered damage," and added, "Please also pay close attention to the safety and health of the volunteers."

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dongyeon is talking with volunteers while visiting Sangmyeon, Gapyeong County, where flood damage recovery work is underway on July 31. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

He also promised the Gapyeong County mayor and the village head of the affected area, "I have already purchased agricultural products from the damaged areas in Gapyeong, such as pine nuts. Since I am here today, I will purchase grapes as well once they are harvested."

After greeting the soldiers participating in the volunteer work, he said, "Due to incidents like the one involving Corporal Chae, Gyeonggi Province has established insurance for military personnel." He explained, "In addition to the existing 'Military Service Gyeonggi Youth Accident Insurance,' the 'Disaster Recovery Support Military Personnel Accident Insurance' ensures that all soldiers dispatched for disaster recovery can receive the same insurance benefits without any blind spots."

Gyeonggi Province has been operating the 'Disaster Recovery Support Military Personnel Accident Insurance' system since June last year, the first of its kind in the country.

This is Governor Kim's third visit to Gapyeong since the flood occurred. On July 20, the day the flood hit the area, he visited the site and ordered the establishment of an integrated support center for swift recovery. He also called Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Hojoong to request the immediate designation of Gapyeong County as a special disaster area. On July 22, he visited Gapyeong County again and instructed the provision of Gyeonggi Province's 'Daily Life Recovery Support Fund' to small business owners affected by the flood. Nine days later, he returned to Gapyeong County and took the lead in volunteer flood recovery efforts, setting an example for others.

Since July 23, starting with 60 members of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Volunteer Corps, Gyeonggi Province has been deploying volunteer personnel to the flood-affected areas every day. As of July 31, a total of 2,570 volunteers have been dispatched to the Gapyeong County sites through the volunteer center.