South Korea’s President Lee declares disaster zones after floods
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The aftermath of a landslide on July 20, following days of torrential rain that triggered floods and landslides, in Sancheong county.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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SEOUL - South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung declared six districts as special disaster zones on July 22 after days of torrential rains
The wet weather has now subsided, though media reports said heavy rainfall was drenching parts of North Korea.
Around 19 people have died and nine were still missing in South Korea as of the morning of July 22, while 2,549 people remained displaced, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said.
Around 3,776 facilities, including homes, shops and factories, needed to be cleared of water, debris and earth, the ministry added.
President Lee’s declaration of special disaster zones – including in Gapeyeong on the outskirts of Seoul – gave the authorities access to emergency administrative and financial support to aid victims.
He earlier told public officials to “spare no effort” in the search for missing people.
The president’s approval rating fell to 62.2 per cent from 64.6 per cent previously according to pollster Realmeter, in a survey conducted last week during the torrential rains.
Mr Lee, who took office in June, has promised to make the country safer and to prevent any repeat of the disasters in recent years that have often been blamed on the inadequate response by the authorities. REUTERS
