Yongin City Secures 13.4 Billion Won for Heavy Snow Damage Recovery, Pays 8.43 Billion Won to Affected Farms

[Suwon Ilbo=Ki-ho Choi] Yongin Special City announced on the 24th that following the heavy snow on November 27-28 last year and designation as a special disaster zone on December 18, it has secured 13.38 billion won in disaster relief funds for heavy snow damage recovery and paid 8.432 billion won to farms and other privately-owned facilities damaged by the snow.

When designated as a special disaster zone, the city can receive expanded national treasury subsidies of 50-80%, and affected residents can receive an additional 12 indirect support items including health insurance premium reductions and electricity and telecommunications fee waivers.

The city formally requested the special disaster zone designation from the government on December 5 for recovery from heavy snow damage, and following a central joint investigation by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, was designated as a 'special disaster zone for heavy snow damage' on December 18.

The heavy snow in Yongin resulted in 56.659 billion won in damages, calculated from collapsed vinyl greenhouses and livestock facilities.

The city has secured a total of 13.38 billion won in national, provincial, and city funds necessary for damage recovery, and is expeditiously executing budgets for disaster relief payments to affected residents, restoration of public facilities, and waste disposal.

The city paid disaster relief funds for recovery of privately-owned facility damage to farmers, livestock farmers, small business owners, and others affected by the heavy snow in two installments: 5.478 billion won on December 27 and 2.954 billion won on January 20, for a total of 8.432 billion won.

As the heavy snow damage occurred widely, the city extended the deadline for reporting privately-owned facility damage by five days beyond the prescribed date (December 8) to December 13, accepting damage reports in each eup, myeon, and dong.

The city has also secured 990 million won in national, provincial, and city funds for recovery of public facilities damaged by the heavy snow, and is currently restoring seven sports facilities and nine facility locations.

Additionally, the city agreed with the Ministry of Environment to receive 2.39 billion won for disposal costs of waste and debris from collapsed vinyl greenhouses and livestock facilities.

For snow removal materials and equipment rental costs on the day of heavy snow, the city submitted supporting documents to the government and received 1.48 billion won, which is 50% of the required costs.

Mayor Sang-il Lee said, "I visited 19 snow damage sites last year and assessed the damage situation, and it was heartbreaking beyond words. We did our best to secure support funds to provide even a little more help," adding "Nevertheless, I believe there are limitations in completely recovering damage and receiving compensation for crops. I will actively help affected residents return to their daily lives as soon as possible."