{"id":2201722,"date":"2023-07-18T08:00:16","date_gmt":"2023-07-17T23:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2201722"},"modified":"2023-07-17T15:37:10","modified_gmt":"2023-07-17T06:37:10","slug":"south-korea-pledges-8-4m-for-rain-hit-areas-opposition-criticizes-president","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/07\/south-korea-pledges-8-4m-for-rain-hit-areas-opposition-criticizes-president\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea pledges $8.4M for rain-hit areas; opposition criticizes president"},"content":{"rendered":"
President Yoon Suk-yeol has <\/span>ordered<\/span><\/a> the mobilization of all available resources and policy measures, including designating special disaster zones in response to the severe rainstorms that have claimed at least <\/span>40 lives and left nine people missing<\/span><\/a>. South Korea\u2019s Ministry of Interior and Safety (MOIS) has <\/span>pledged<\/span><\/a> to offer $8.4 million (10.65 billion won) in emergency subsidies to areas significantly impacted by the current heavy rainstorms.<\/span><\/p>\n The rains have precipitated <\/span>widespread damage<\/span><\/a>. Over 10,000 residents have been displaced from their homes. Public and private properties have sustained damage, with 628 public facilities and 317 private properties impacted, including the collapse or inundation of roads and homes. Power failures have also been a significant issue, affecting 28,607 households nationwide. The most significant rainfall was observed in the central and lower regions, and further rain alerts have been issued for Sejong City, South Chungcheong Province and North Gyeongsang Province.<\/span><\/p>\n Yoon has faced <\/span>criticism<\/span><\/a> from the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) for his decision to continue with his planned overseas itinerary despite the heavy rains in Korea. Ruling People Power Party (PPP) floor leader Yoon Jae-ok <\/span>defended<\/span><\/a> the president\u2019s decision, suggesting that the extension of the trip was in the national interest following an invitation from Ukraine and arguing that President Yoon\u2019s immediate return to Seoul wouldn\u2019t have substantially affected the flood damages. He added that the president\u2019s overseas trip, which included visits to Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine, was crucial for South Korea\u2019s involvement in Ukraine\u2019s reconstruction project and the communication of humanitarian aid initiatives to the international community.<\/span><\/p>\n Why It Matters<\/b><\/p>\n MOIS\u2019 pledge of $8.4 million (10.65 billion won) in emergency subsidies may be insufficient given the scale and severity of the damage caused by the torrential rains. Floods have caused extensive damage nationwide. In the <\/span>agriculture sector<\/span><\/a> alone, about 77 square miles of farmland have been flooded, and more than 561,000 livestock animals were killed. These damages and the associated costs of immediate rescue, relief and subsequent rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts are likely to be much higher than the pledged amount.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The suggestion by PPP floor leader Yoon Jae-ok that President Yoon\u2019s immediate return would not have substantially impacted the flood damage will likely lead to public backlash. This is particularly so when considering examples from other nations, such as <\/span>Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni<\/span><\/a>, who left the G7 summit early to respond to flooding in her country in May. The DP will likely use the remark to paint President Yoon and the ruling PPP as detached and aloof, setting the stage for political fallout from the disaster response.<\/span><\/p>\n