Declaration issued Thursday following joint central government probe

President Lee Jae Myung [Yonhap]
President Lee Jae Myung [Yonhap]

President Lee Jae Myung has declared Baengsu-eup in Yeonggwang-gun, South Jeolla Province a special disaster zone following heavy rains that have caused damage since late last month.

Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing Friday that Lee declared the area a special disaster zone at around 9 p.m. Thursday, after a joint central government investigation confirmed the extent of the damage.

Areas designated as special disaster zones receive additional state funding for disaster recovery. Affected residents are also eligible for deferred national and local tax payments, as well as reductions on public utility bills.

"The government will finalize a recovery plan as soon as possible and make every effort to help residents in the affected area return to their normal lives quickly," Kang said.


sang@heraldcorp.com