Wildfire-Damaged Donghae City Urges "Government-Level Recovery Support Request"

Special Grants, Farming Expenses for Affected Farms, and 119 Safety Center Expansion
Demand for Active Promotion of Mukho Lighthouse Emotional Village Urban Regeneration Project

Donghae Mayor Shim Gyu-eon held a press conference on the 5th requesting wildfire damage recovery for Donghae City at the government and Gangwon Province levels. [Donghae City]

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] Donghae City, which suffered extensive damage from a fire that started in Ok-gye, Gangneung, has called for measures and assistance from the government and Gangwon Province.

In the Donghae area, approximately 2,700 hectares of forest were destroyed by this large-scale wildfire. It is estimated that major tourist sites such as Eodal and Mukho, more than 180 houses, cultural assets, and about 72 billion won in damages were incurred.

Donghae Mayor Shim Gyu-eon stated in a press conference that "We request government support for the best possible recovery measures, including restoration of residences and workplaces, compensation for small business owners, economic support, and urban regeneration projects such as the Mukho Lighthouse Sensory Village."

He added, "Above all, there is a need for national security-level wildfire disaster prevention measures for local governments like Donghae City, where mountains and urban areas are adjacent," emphasizing, "We repeatedly request realistic government support to enable initial firefighting tailored to regional characteristics."

He also proposed additional requests for special grants for the construction of temporary housing for disaster victims, farming expenses for affected farms, and expansion support for the 119 Safety Center to prevent wildfires and large-scale disasters.

The city is urgently producing 50 prefabricated temporary housing units, each about 7 to 8 pyeong in size, for 52 households and 110 disaster victims.

For disaster victims who cannot have prefabricated houses installed or whose homes are difficult to restore, temporary supply of LH rental housing is also planned. Five LH rental houses are immediately available, and additional units are being secured.

To minimize wildfire and fire damage in villages, hose reel fire hydrants, which are initial firefighting equipment, will be installed and expanded throughout villages along the wildfire path.

In old residential areas where fire roads are insufficiently secured, additional simple fire hydrants will be installed, and related agencies will be urged to expand the intelligent fire hydrant location information system in tourist areas.

Unlike the situations in Uljin and Samcheok, Donghae City suffered significant damage as the fire rapidly spread from the rural village of Mangsang-dong to areas densely populated with apartments and houses.

The Donghae wildfire started in the early morning of the 5th in Namyang-ri, Ok-gye, Gangneung City, when a villager in his 60s set fire, which then spread rapidly due to strong winds.

Mayor Shim said, "Despite the chaotic and anxious situation, I thank the citizens who cooperated with mature civic awareness," and added, "We will do our best to overcome the crisis wisely with central government and related agencies and achieve a successful recovery."

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