Pohang Mayor Lee Gang-deok: "Earthquake Damage Support Funds Should Be Widely Recognized"

Investigation of Damage in Heunghae Area Triggered by November 15, 2017 Earthquake

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Jae-ho] On the 26th, Lee Gang-deok, Mayor of Pohang City, visited the Heunghae area where the earthquake damage fact-finding investigation is underway and encouraged the investigators belonging to the Pohang Earthquake Damage Investigation Team responsible for calculating the support funds.

The facility inspected that day was a block-structured single-family house located in Okseong-ri, Heunghae-eup. Due to the earthquake triggered on November 15, 2017, large cracks occurred in several places inside and outside the living room and rooms of the house, and the bathroom tiles were damaged, causing significant damage to the household.

Considering that the fact-finding investigation is the most important part in calculating the damage amount, Pohang City conveyed to the investigators to fully consider the inconveniences such as residents’ preparation of proof documents and the on-site situation.

In particular, since it has been three years since the earthquake occurred and there are many difficulties in securing proof documents, they requested the loss adjusters conducting the on-site investigation to calculate the amount by examining nearby damages even if the proof documents are somewhat insufficient.

Mayor Lee Gang-deok emphasized, "Many repairs were carried out without securing proof materials in a very chaotic state immediately after the earthquake," and added, "In line with the purpose of the Special Act on Earthquakes, the damage amount should be calculated broadly during the fact-finding investigation so that citizens can receive sufficient compensation for the victims living in economic hardship and suffering."

Meanwhile, once the fact-finding investigation is completed, the support fund amount will be determined through the amount calculation and report writing process, followed by the final review result of the 'Pohang Earthquake Damage Relief Deliberation Committee.' Once the amount is decided, the support funds can be received within one month. The first payment of support funds is expected to begin around the end of April.

The application for earthquake damage is open until August 31. All citizens who have suffered damage can apply, so even for minor damages, citizens who have been affected must apply within the deadline without omission.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.