Government Provides Two Billion Won In Fire Disaster Relief

The government is considering declaring Yangyang-gun and Goseong-gun, Gangwon Province, as disaster areas. Both areas were damaged by wildfires on April 5.

In addition, the government will support a special shared tax of two billion won to the local governments of the affected areas in order to immediately aid victims as early as April 7.

Oh Yeong-gyo, the Minister of Government Administration and Home Affairs, stated on April 6 that he would dispatch a joint investigation group consisting of the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs (MOGAHA), the National Emergency Management Agency and the Korea Forest Service to the area hit by wildfires, complete the investigation as early as tomorrow, and decide whether or not to issue a disaster area declaration in the damaged area.

Once the area is designated as a particular disaster area, the area is provided with special bonus and restoration expenses for housing and agricultural products under the relevant provision of “the basic law on disaster and safety” (see table). At the same time, the area will be qualified for a reduction in and exemption from educational expenses or local taxes and national taxes. The emergency financial support given to the local body will be used for the immediate aid of the affected, a disposal of waste from the fires, and a temporary anti-erosion work.

So far, disaster areas have been declared three times: after typhoons Rusa (2002) and Maemi (2003), and a heavy snowfall last March.

Jong-Dae Ha orionha@donga.com