President Lee Declares Four Townships in Andong and Uiseong Special Disaster Zones After Heavy Rain Damage

Additional Government Funding for Restoration

President Lee Jae-myung has declared parts of Andong City and Uiseong County in North Gyeongsang Province, which suffered severe damage from heavy rains last month, as special disaster zones. As a result, the affected areas will receive additional government funding for restoration, and residents will benefit from expanded support such as deferred tax payments and reduced public utility fees.

President Lee Jae-myung is giving a greeting speech at the luncheon consoling victims of state violence on the occasion of the launch of the 3rd Truth and Reconciliation Commission held at the Blue House State Guest House on August 7, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Kang Yoo-jung, Chief Presidential Spokesperson, announced in a written briefing on August 7 that "President Lee declared four townships under the jurisdiction of Andong City and Uiseong County in North Gyeongsang Province, which suffered significant damage from heavy rainfall between July 8 and July 24, as special disaster zones at around 5 p.m. today."

When a special disaster zone is declared, the national government provides additional restoration funding that would otherwise be the responsibility of local governments. This measure aims to reduce the restoration burden on municipalities, which often face limited fiscal capacity, and to expedite recovery efforts for both damage mitigation and facility restoration.

Support for affected residents will also be expanded. They will be eligible for additional benefits applicable to special disaster zones, including deferred payments for national and local taxes, as well as reductions in various public utility charges.

This declaration serves as a follow-up measure in response to the extensive damage in northern North Gyeongsang Province caused by prolonged heavy rainfall last month. The government plans to specify support measures based on the scale of damages and the financial resources needed for recovery.

Chief Spokesperson Kang stated, "The government intends to finalize the restoration plan as soon as possible and will make every effort to ensure that residents in the affected regions can return to their daily lives without delay."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.