Gov't doubles state aid for disaster relief in S Korea

The decision was made during a meeting among the government, the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and Cheong Wa Dae at the National Assembly.

«In the case of a death, state support will be raised to 20 million won (US$16,880) from the current 10 million won,» said DP spokesman Kang Hoon-sik during a briefing, adding a flood victim will get 2 million, up from the original 1 million won. The current disaster aid scheme was drawn up in 1995.

Discussion on a potential supplementary budget, which the ruling party toyed with, has been deferred to a later time, as the current budget is deemed sufficient to cover recovery efforts.

«The central government has 3 trillion won in budget, with some in reserve, while provincial governments have around 2.4 trillion won,» Kang elaborated. «So it is enough to cover 500 billion won, the estimated cost needed for recovery.»

Kang said the government is working on swiftly expanding the special disaster areas by streamlining the bureaucratic process, beyond the seven cities and counties designated last week.

The seven are Anseong of Gyeonggi Province; Cheorwon of Gangwon Province; Chungju, Jecheon and Eumseong of North Chungcheong Province; and Cheonan and Asan of South Chungcheong Province.

«Damage inspections have been launched in Gwangju, North Jeolla Province and South Gyeongsang Province,» he said, adding the results will be made within this week.

Special disaster areas get state support that can cover up to 80 percent of the expenditures needed for damage recovery. Flood victims in the areas receive state aid for livelihood costs and reductions in utility bills, health insurance premiums and other public charges, as well as exemptions from reserve forces training and other military duties.

Later in the day, during his visit to a flood-hit area, President Moon Jae-in ruled out the possibilty of a supplementary budget. He said an extra budget is not needed since the central government and municipalities have enough funds to support relief efforts.

President Moon Jae-in visited three southern areas battered by torrential rains to check flood damages and console local residents. He used the presidential KTX bullet train, code-named Train One, for several hours of visits to Hadong, South Gyeongsang Province, Gurye, South Jeolla Province, and Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province.

On his way to Hadong, the first destination, he received a 45-minute briefing on recovery work and efforts to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in areas damaged by floods, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok.

Moon instructed related officials to do their best to swiftly designate affected regions as special disaster zones eligible for financial assistance, Kang said.

Moon inspected devastated sites and met with people there.

The president's travel distance during the day reached 767 kilometers, Kang added.

Meanwhile, the government plans to start working on river maintenance to alleviate flooding and help land drainage.

Record-setting downpours have left 42 people killed or missing. More than 7,200 people have been displaced.