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President Lee Jae-myung speaks at the first anti-corruption policy council meeting of the People's Sovereignty Government, held at the presidential office on the 21st. The council, a meeting of ministers from agencies related to anti-corruption efforts aimed at comprehensively advancing the government's anti-corruption measures, convened for the first time since President Lee took office. / Yonhap

President Lee Jae-myung declared the cities of Geoje and Tongyeong (specifically the Sanyang-eup and Bongpyeong-dong areas) in South Gyeongsang Province special disaster zones on the 21st, following extensive damage from heavy rain in the southern region. The government plans to speed up recovery efforts through additional national funding, tax payment deferrals, and reduced public utility fees.

Chief Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing that day that President Lee declared Geoje and the Sanyang-eup and Bongpyeong-dong areas of Tongyeong special disaster zones.

Special disaster zone designation provides additional national funding to support disaster recovery.

Affected residents can also receive livelihood support, including deferred payment of national and local taxes and reduced public utility fees.

Spokesperson Kang said, "The government is mobilizing all available personnel and resources to swiftly address the damage and speed up recovery."

She added, "For affected areas not included in this special disaster zone designation, the government plans to conduct detailed assessments and consider designating them as special disaster zones as well, if they meet the criteria."

                                                                                                        Park Young-hoon