Hojin Kim, Gyeongbuk Director of Planning, Says "Special Law Essential for Thorough Wildfire Relief"

Proposal for Special Legislation Submitted During Visit to the National Assembly

On June 9, Gyeongbuk Province made a direct visit to the National Assembly ahead of the Wildfire Countermeasures Special Committee meeting, once again proposing the enactment of a special law for ultra-large wildfires.

Hojin Kim, Director of Planning and Coordination for Gyeongbuk Province, along with the heads of three project teams within the Wildfire Damage Reconstruction Headquarters?Village Housing Reconstruction, Forest Disaster Innovation, and Agricultural and Orchard Improvement?visited the National Assembly Wildfire Countermeasures Special Committee. They explained the current status of wildfire damage and Gyeongbuk Province’s regional reconstruction plans, and requested the committee’s active role in enacting the special law.

Hojin Kim, Director of Planning and Coordination, Gyeongbuk Province

The National Assembly Wildfire Countermeasures Special Committee was established to provide effective relief and support for the unprecedentedly fast-spreading, large-scale wildfires that caused massive damage in the Yeongnam region in March, as well as to formulate comprehensive disaster and safety management measures in response to wildfires. The committee has been given the exclusive authority to review the special law for ultra-large wildfires.

Following its first meeting on May 13, the committee is expected to begin full-scale activities for the enactment of the special law starting with its second meeting on June 10.

Immediately after the main wildfire was brought under control, Gyeongbuk Province prepared a draft of the special law and continuously proposed its enactment by holding a series of meetings with both the government and the ruling and opposition party wildfire special committees.

Since then, the province has worked closely with local political leaders to revise and supplement the draft special law, making every effort to fully reflect the needs of the region.

The main points of the special law anticipated by Gyeongbuk Province can be summarized in three key areas. First, relief and support for victims without blind spots: it is necessary not only to ensure realistic compensation for the restoration of homes, forests, and farmland, but also to specify support for the recovery and business stabilization of small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners, as well as support for the restoration of damage to forest product farmers, including those harvesting Songi mushrooms.

Second, special measures for the reconstruction of local communities: in addition to restoring the area to its pre-wildfire state, the law should include administrative and financial measures to innovatively rebuild the community’s foundation, such as support for the creation of apartment complexes, temporary delegation of mountain management authority, introduction of joint farming models, and support for the establishment of smart farms.

Third, the establishment of a prevention and response system for ultra-large wildfires: as the frequency and scale of ultra-large wildfires increase due to worsening climate change, the law should include the introduction of equipment for fighting large-scale and nighttime wildfires, the implementation of AI-based early warning systems, the stockpiling and management of relief supplies, and the establishment and operation of village patrol teams.

Hojin Kim, Director of Planning and Coordination for Gyeongbuk Province, stated, "The special law proposed by Gyeongbuk Province is a comprehensive measure that covers thorough relief for victims, regional reconstruction to prevent local extinction, and the establishment of wildfire prevention and response systems. We will do our utmost to ensure that the enactment of the special law provides a solid institutional foundation for effective relief and regional reconstruction."

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