The Gyeongbuk Provincial Government (Governor Lee Cheolwoo) announced that, with the enforcement of the "Special Act Enforcement Decree on Relief and Support for the Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, and Ulsan Large-Scale Wildfire Victims" coming into effect on January 29, applications for wildfire damage support will be accepted starting on that day for a period of one year.
This measure aims to provide practical recovery and support for residents in regions severely affected by the large-scale wildfire that occurred in March of last year. The Gyeongbuk Provincial Government plans to establish a systematic response system, focusing its administrative capacity to enhance convenience for affected residents and ensure that the application process proceeds swiftly.
The application period for damage support is one year, from January 29, the enforcement date of the special act enforcement decree, until January 28, 2027. However, in cases of unavoidable circumstances such as residing abroad, applications must be submitted within six months after the reason is resolved.
To encourage early applications from as many residents as possible, the Gyeongbuk Provincial Government will designate the three months from January 29 to April 30 as a "priority application period."
Applications can be submitted in person at 33 administrative welfare centers in the affected areas of five cities and counties: seven locations in Andong City, 18 in Uiseong County, three in Cheongsong County, two in Yeongyang County, and three in Yeongdeok County. Applicants must visit the designated center corresponding to their registered address.
In principle, the applicant must be the victim, but proxy applications are permitted if a parent, child, sibling, relative, village head, staff member, or neighbor presents a power of attorney. Required documents include the damage support application form, proof of damage, a copy of the bank account to receive the support funds, and a copy of identification.
Submitted applications will undergo a first review by the respective city or county, followed by a second review by the Gyeongbuk Provincial Government. The final decision on eligibility and the amount of support will be made through a fact-finding investigation and deliberation by the Reconstruction Committee under the Prime Minister's Office. The determined support funds will, in principle, be deposited directly into the applicant's bank account via the local government.
With the enforcement of this special act, procedures for registering "victims' organizations" to protect the rights and interests of victims will also be implemented. Organizations composed of at least ten victims and with at least one designated representative may submit a registration form to the governor to be officially recognized as a victims' organization.
Registered victims' organizations will be able to officially submit opinions on committee deliberations and resolutions in accordance with Article 11, Paragraph 2 of the Act, making it possible for the voices of affected residents to be more actively reflected in the support process.
Prior to the official start of the application period, from January 27 to 28, the Gyeongbuk Provincial Government, together with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, is conducting on-site inspections in each city and county to thoroughly check the readiness of application centers and the designation and training of responsible staff.
During these inspections, feedback was gathered from the field regarding the application and payment procedures. The authorities also reviewed support application and statistical management plans for recovery in areas such as housing and agriculture in each city and county, and discussed in depth any potential difficulties that may arise during the actual application process, ensuring thorough preparation.
Furthermore, on February 4, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety will hold an "Enforcement Decree Briefing Session" at the main conference room of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation's Gyeongbuk Regional Headquarters. Approximately 150 officials from the three provinces of Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, and Ulsan, as well as eight cities and counties, will attend to review specific work procedures and strengthen their practical capabilities, aiming to minimize administrative errors that may occur in the early stages of application processing.
Additionally, before the official start of the application period, the Gyeongbuk Provincial Government will strengthen both online and offline publicity to ensure that residents can access information more easily and conveniently.
On the first day of applications, January 29, dedicated pop-up windows providing information on "damage support applications" and "victims' organization registration" will be posted on the websites of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Government and the relevant cities and counties to enhance online accessibility.
In particular, considering the demographic characteristics of the affected areas, which have a high proportion of elderly residents, the government plans to produce and distribute a visually organized "damage support application promotional pamphlet" that clearly explains the application procedures, required documents, and application centers at a glance.
Moreover, practical publicity methods such as village broadcasts and SMS messages will be actively utilized to prevent unnecessary misunderstandings or vague anxieties among residents at application sites, and to provide accurate information, thereby increasing administrative reliability.
Lee Cheolwoo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, stated, "This special act was established to address blind spots in the existing disaster support system and to provide tangible assistance to affected residents. We have thoroughly prepared to ensure that there is no inconvenience for victims during the application process. I urge every affected resident to apply within the designated period so that no one is left out, and the provincial government will do its utmost to ensure swift and seamless administrative processing from application to payment, so that everyone can return to their daily lives as soon as possible."
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