The North Gyeongsang Provincial Government building. [North Gyeongsang Province]
The North Gyeongsang Provincial Government building. [North Gyeongsang Province]

North Gyeongsang Province will extend by one year the permitted stay in temporary modular housing for wildfire victims.

According to the provincial government Friday, Andong, Cheongsong-gun, Yeongyang-gun, Yeongdeok-gun and Uiseong-gun extended the housing deadline from the first half of this year to the first half of next year to provide stable residential support for displaced residents. The municipalities had originally set a one-year limit on use of the temporary units.

Leases on those units were set to expire in May and June — one year after move-in — but local authorities extended the period in consideration of residents' living conditions and overall stability.

Of the 2,531 households affected by the wildfires, 446 have already vacated the temporary units, while 2,085 households comprising 3,551 people remain in them.

In April, the province inspected the interior and exterior of the modular units for hazards and inconveniences, addressing 34 issues identified during the review.

In May, it conducted a special safety inspection jointly with the Ministry of Interior and Safety and the Korea Forest Service to prepare for the monsoon season and summer heat.

The province also partnered with Korea Electric Power Corp. to subsidize electricity bills by up to 400,000 won ($262) per household per month, allowing residents to run cooling appliances without financial burden.

"We will take full responsibility and continue supporting displaced residents until they can stand on their own, giving comprehensive consideration to their living conditions and future plans," said Kim Jong-su, director of safety administration at the North Gyeongsang Provincial Government.


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