Seoul, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, and Chungnam 10 Local Governments Prioritize Declaration as 'Special Disaster Areas'... "Additional Declarations After Joint Investigation"

8 Sigungu Local Governments, 2 Eupmyeon-dong Local Governments
50-80% of Restoration Costs Converted to National Funding

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Based on the preliminary survey results of the areas affected by the heavy rains from the 8th to the 17th, the government has obtained presidential approval to prioritize the declaration of 10 local governments in Seoul, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, and Chungnam regions, which are certain to meet the criteria for special disaster zones, as special disaster zones.

On the 22nd, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced that to provide proactive government support for the swift recovery and restoration of damage caused by the heavy rains before the central joint investigation, 10 local governments including Yeongdeungpo and Gwanak-gu in Seoul, Seongnam-si, Gwangju-si, and Yangpyeong-gun in Gyeonggi, Hoengseong-gun in Gangwon, and Buyeo-gun and Cheongyang-gun in Chungnam will be prioritized for declaration as 'special disaster zones.' Among these, 8 are city/county/district local governments, and 2 are town/township/village local governments.

To be declared a special disaster zone, certain conditions such as the amount of damage must be met. The areas prioritized for declaration as special disaster zones this time are those where preliminary surveys have been completed. Considering that it takes time to survey all damaged areas, even regions where damage surveys have been completed face difficulties in receiving prompt support.

The government explained, "If the declaration criteria are met, we will prioritize declaring even one more area to assist in rapid recovery, and thus we are prioritizing the declaration of special disaster zones today." It added, "For other areas not declared this time, joint investigations will be conducted by the end of this month, and additional special disaster zones will be declared immediately once the criteria are met."

Local governments declared as special disaster zones can reduce their financial burden as part of the restoration costs for private and public facilities (50-80%) will be covered by national funds. Additionally, affected residents will receive disaster relief funds along with indirect benefits such as exemptions from national and local taxes and reductions in public utility fees.

Furthermore, considering the upcoming Chuseok holiday, the government will allow local governments to provide disaster relief funds for confirmed flooded houses even before restoration plans are finalized, and if necessary, will promptly allocate government disaster response funds to local governments through the relevant procedures.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety has already allocated 10.7 billion won of the special disaster safety tax to enable local governments to swiftly handle urgent matters such as the demolition of a toppled retaining wall at an apartment complex in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, separately from the special disaster zone declaration.

Head of Headquarters Lee Sang-min stated, “We hope that this prioritized declaration of special disaster zones will help local governments swiftly recover damages before Chuseok and assist evacuees in returning to their daily lives and livelihoods.” He added, “We will thoroughly analyze the causes of the recent heavy rain damage and establish permanent restoration plans to prevent the recurrence of similar damage.”

On the 10th, due to heavy rain, over 100 displaced people occurred in Guryong Village, Gaepo-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where flooded household items are scattered around. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

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