Gangjin-gun, Jeonnam, President Moon Declares 'Special Disaster Area'

Published 23 Jul.2021 15:50(KST)

One-Month Reduction of Health Insurance, Communication, Electricity, and City Gas Fees for Affected Residents

On the 7th, County Governor Lee Seung-ok visited the Doamcheon damage site and ordered emergency restoration. (Photo by Gangjin County)

[Gangjin＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-su] Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do was designated as a ‘Special Disaster Area’ on the 22nd due to the heavy rain damage disaster that occurred earlier this month.

According to Gangjin-gun on the 23rd, the special disaster area includes three counties: Jangheung-gun, Gangjin-gun, Haenam-gun, and four towns and townships in Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do: Jindo-eup, Gunnae-myeon, Gogeun-myeon, and Jisan-myeon.

When designated as a special disaster area, up to 80% of the national budget is supported for the restoration of public facility damages, which greatly helps local governments with poor local finances. For affected residents, health insurance premiums, communication, electricity, and city gas costs are reduced for one month.

Gangjin-gun suffered a total property damage of 6.8 billion KRW due to the collapse of public facilities such as rivers and roads, as well as private facilities such as houses, vinyl greenhouses, and fish farms caused by continuous heavy rain from the 5th for three days.

Damage was reported with the loss of revetment blocks and embankments at 39 river sites, and five roads covered by soil and sand. Among these, Daegucheon is estimated to have suffered about 1 billion KRW in damage, with 41 houses, 39 hectares of farmland submerged, and 15,325 livestock affected.

Earlier, County Governor Lee Seung-ok ordered all staff to be on emergency duty to quickly assess and respond to the flood damage, personally inspected the damage sites, comforted residents, and worked hard to declare the special disaster area.

Governor Lee Seung-ok said, “I thank everyone who worked hard for the declaration of this special disaster area and damage recovery,” and added, “We will strive to ensure that affected residents receive assistance as soon as possible.”