President Lee Declares Geoje and Tongyeong Special Disaster Zones

Army soldiers are supporting flood recovery efforts in the Geoje area of Gyeongnam, which suffered heavy rain damage on the 20th. / Provided by the Ministry of National Defense
Blue House Senior Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung announced on the 21st that President Lee Jae-myung declared Geoje-si and Sanyang-eup and Bongpyeong-dong in Tongyeong-si, Gyeongnam—areas that recently suffered significant damage due to unprecedented heavy rainfall in the southern provinces—as special disaster zones.
Areas declared as special disaster zones will receive additional national government funding to cover a portion of the recovery costs that would otherwise be the responsibility of local governments. Affected residents will receive disaster relief funds, as well as support such as deferment of national and local tax payments and reductions in public utility charges.
From the 15th to the 18th, Geoje received 956.1mm of rain, while Tongyeong received 766.9mm. This was the highest rainfall recorded since meteorological observations began. One person died due to the heavy rain, and houses, schools, and traditional markets were flooded.
The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters stated that the decision to preemptively declare Geoje-si and Sanyang-eup and Bongpyeong-dong in Tongyeong-si as special disaster zones before the central joint investigation was made due to the need for proactive measures to ensure rapid damage management and recovery.
The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters also stated that for damage-affected areas not included in this declaration, they plan to recommend the President declare additional special disaster zones if any areas meet the declaration criteria following investigations by local governments and detailed inspections by the central joint investigation team.