PPP Wildfire Committee Proposes Special Relief and Support Act... "All-Out Effort for Daily Life Recovery"

Including Financial and Administrative Support for Recovery and Response

The People Power Party's Special Committee on Wildfire Disaster Response announced on April 21 that it has proposed a special law titled "Special Act on Relief and Support for Ultra-Large Wildfire Damages in North Gyeongsang, South Gyeongsang, and Ulsan," aimed at supporting recovery efforts and providing aid to victims following the simultaneous wildfires that broke out across the Yeongnam region last month.

Last month, record-breaking wildfires centered in North Gyeongsang, South Gyeongsang, and Ulsan resulted in nearly 83 casualties, damage to 9,477 facilities, and affected an area of 48,238 hectares.

According to the committee, the bill includes provisions to ensure comprehensive support for all affected residents and regions, recovery and reconstruction efforts to prevent local depopulation, strengthening disaster response capabilities for ultra-large wildfires, and special measures for financial and administrative support as well as regulatory exemptions to enable swift recovery.

The bill also contains broad support measures such as disaster recovery funding for those in agriculture and fisheries, small business owners, SMEs, and industrial complexes that suffered significant losses, as well as support for restoring production infrastructure.

Furthermore, the committee explained that the bill establishes comprehensive support measures including the creation and support of apartment complexes, support for joint farming models, and manufacturing innovation for regional recovery. It also provides for the reconstruction of affected areas through initiatives such as forest investment-leading districts, and establishes a legal basis for strengthening disaster response capabilities.

Lee Manhee, a People Power Party lawmaker and chairman of the special committee, stated, "I have also jointly introduced a partial amendment to the Hometown Love Donation Act to expand local finances and revitalize the regional economy in areas declared as special disaster zones. We will make every effort to ensure the passage of these package bills in the National Assembly so that residents and local communities can return to their normal lives as soon as possible."

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