Gangwon Province Holds Emergency Countermeasure Meeting to Restore Local Economy Amid 'Gangneung Drought'

Six Departments Under the Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs Attend
All-out Efforts to Minimize and Recover from Economic Impact on Livelihoods

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) announced that on the 12th, it held an emergency countermeasure meeting in the Global Headquarters conference room, chaired by the Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs, to minimize damage to the local economy caused by drought in the Gangneung area and to establish rapid response measures.

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province is holding an emergency countermeasure meeting on the 12th in the Global Headquarters conference room, chaired by the Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs, to minimize the damage to the local economy caused by drought in the Gangneung area and to prepare rapid response measures. Provided by Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province

This meeting was organized to minimize the negative impact on the regional economy following the disaster declaration in Gangneung City on August 30 and the commencement of water restrictions. Six departments attended to share the current status of drought damage and discuss step-by-step support plans.

In the economic sector, the province decided to operate a dedicated task force team for industrial water supply, provide water support to companies using nearby city and county water purification plants, and offer special disaster relief funds for businesses and emergency management stabilization funds for small business owners totaling 10 billion KRW. In addition, to promote local consumption, the province is consulting with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to increase the discount rate of the local gift certificate from the current 13% to up to 18%.

In the industrial sector, the province will survey water usage by each industrial complex in preparation for industrial water shortages and establish a system for rapid reporting and response in the event of damage. If there is a water supply cut at power plants, seawater desalination facilities will be used to provide emergency industrial water supply.

In the river sector, the province inspected the water intake status of 21 local rivers in Gangneung City, will actively support administrative procedures such as temporary permits for river water use, and, if the intake sources are depleted, will cooperate with neighboring cities and counties to expand alternative water sources.

In the tourism sector, as the spread of the 'severe drought' image has discouraged tourist visits and the number of visitors increased by only 2.7% compared to the previous year, the province will implement strategies to recover tourism demand, such as encouraging day trips through social media events and strengthening the promotion of Gangneung's clean image.

In the marine and fisheries sector, although fish farms and seafood processing companies have avoided direct damage by using seawater and groundwater, seafood sales are expected to decline due to fewer tourists. The province plans to expand seafood discount sales and promotional events, and if prices fall below appropriate levels, it will support purchase costs to help stabilize fishermen's incomes.

Kim Gwang-rae, Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, stated, "This meeting was held to discuss measures to minimize the economic shock caused by the Gangneung drought and to reduce the damage to residents' livelihoods and local industries. We will do our utmost to stabilize the regional economy and restore the local economy through sectoral cooperation and rapid response."

Meanwhile, on the 15th, a meeting with small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners will be held at the Gangneung Chamber of Commerce and Industry to hear about difficulties on the ground and discuss additional support measures.