Aftermath of Torrential Rains: Naju City Designated as Additional "Special Disaster Zone"

Expansion of National Funding and Reduction of Local Financial Burdens

Yoon Byungtae, mayor of Naju, is visiting the heavy rain damage site to assess the situation. Photo by Naju City

Naju City in South Jeolla Province suffered significant damage from heavy rainfall in July. On August 6, the government designated the entire city as a "special disaster zone," which will result in expanded national funding, reduced local financial burdens, and various administrative and financial support measures.

This designation will allow Naju City to accelerate its recovery efforts, and residents are expected to return to their daily lives more quickly.

Naju City reported that the heavy rainfall, which lasted from July 16 to July 20, caused damage totaling 15.1 billion won, including the destruction of roads and rivers, flooding of homes and commercial buildings, and damage to farmland.

In response, the Central Joint Investigation Team conducted a detailed assessment of the damage sites, and based on their findings, the government designated the entire city of Naju as a special disaster zone.

With this designation, the national subsidy rate for restoring public facilities will be increased. Additionally, out of the 24 indirect support items typically provided in general disaster areas, 13 items?including reductions in National Health Insurance premiums, discounts on electricity bills, and exemptions from farmland preservation charges?will now be provided at the national level.

Yoon Byungtae, mayor of Naju, said, "I would like to once again extend my condolences to citizens who have suffered great losses due to the extreme rainfall, and I will do my utmost to ensure prompt recovery and support so that those who have endured these difficult times can return to their daily lives as soon as possible." He added, "With the declaration of the special disaster zone, a variety of support measures necessary for recovery will be provided. I am also grateful to the staff of the townships and the disaster management departments who handled more than 10,000 damage reports as if they were their own."

Immediately after the damage occurred, Naju City requested that the central government declare the area a special disaster zone. With this declaration, the city is expected to gain momentum in formulating recovery plans and securing national funding.

The city plans to continue focusing all administrative resources on securing recovery funds and implementing recovery projects.