Jung Jeom-sik, the floor leader of the People Power Party, urged the government on August 18 to designate Busan and Gyeongnam as special disaster areas following record rainfall that caused significant damage.
In a post on his Facebook page, Jung stated, "Busan and Gyeongnam have faced a series of natural disasters, including extreme heat and drought, followed by this heavy rainfall, exacerbating the difficulties for local residents and farmers."
He noted, "During the Liberation Day holiday, record rainfall in the Busan and Gyeongnam regions led to landslides and flooding. Due to the sudden downpour, hundreds of residents in areas such as Busan, Geoje, and Tongyeong have been forced to evacuate to temporary shelters or the homes of relatives and friends. Reports indicate that one person has died in Geoje due to a landslide."
Jung expressed his condolences, saying, "I extend my deepest sympathies to the bereaved family," and emphasized that "the government and local authorities must prioritize preventing further damage and ensuring the safety of residents, concentrating all administrative efforts on the swift recovery of affected areas and the restoration of residents' daily lives."
He also stated, "The suffering in Busan and Gyeongnam is a national disaster," calling on the government to comprehensively assess the cumulative damage from the recent heatwaves, drought, and heavy rainfall, and to implement practical support measures, including the designation of special disaster areas."
On the same day, Jung canceled a scheduled floor strategy meeting in the National Assembly to visit the areas affected by the heavy rainfall in Gyeongnam for an inspection.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.