Yoon designates 13 special disaster zones hit by heavy rain

Social Affairs

Published: 19 Jul. 2023, 11:01

Yoon designates 13 special disaster zones hit by heavy rain

President Yoon Suk Yeol examines the damages from the recent torrential rains during a visit to a watermelon farm in Hwajeong-ri in Nonsan, South Chungcheong, on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Yoon designated 13 areas, including Nonsan, as special disaster zones. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

President Yoon Suk Yeol designated 13 areas hit hard by heavy downpours as special disaster zones on Wednesday.

The areas included Yecheon, Yeongju and Mungyeong in North Gyeongsang; Nonsan and Gongju in South Chungcheong; Iksan in North Jeolla; and Cheongju, Sejong and Goesan County in North Chungcheong, according to presidential spokesman Lee Do-woon.

A designation as a special disaster zone enables the area to become eligible for additional financial benefits from the central government during the recovery process as well as disaster relief funds for the victims.

Yoon instructed acting Interior Minister Han Chang-seob to make every effort with related authorities to provide swift recovery assistance and prevent additional casualties, Lee said.

He further instructed Agriculture Minister Chung Hwang-keun to assist farms hit by the heavy rain and manage the supply and demand of crops.

Yoon also has issued a warning to Environment Minister Han Wha-jin over poor water management, according to presidential officials.

This comes as heavy rains and landslides led to 44 deaths — 22 in North Gyeongsang, followed by 17 in North Chungcheong, four in South Chungcheong and one in Sejong.

Lee said that the zones were declared "in order to help victims return to everyday life" and that more areas could be designated upon further damage assessments in areas where it is difficult to access due to the continued rain and flooding.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]