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

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Choi Ki-ho] Yongin City announced on the 24th that it has secured 13.38 billion won in disaster relief funds for recovery from heavy snowfall on November 27-28 last year, following its designation as a Special Disaster Zone on December 18, and has distributed 8.432 billion won to farms and other private sector facilities affected by the heavy snow.

When designated as a Special Disaster Zone, the city can expand national treasury subsidies from 50-80% of disaster relief funds, and affected residents can receive an additional 12 indirect support items including health insurance premium reductions and electricity and telecommunications rate exemptions.

The city officially petitioned the government for Special Disaster Zone designation on December 5 for recovery from heavy snow damage. Following a joint government survey by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, it was designated as a 'Special Disaster Zone for Heavy Snow' on December 18.

Heavy snowfall in Yongin caused damage estimated at 56.659 billion won, including the collapse of 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 rapidly executing budgets to provide disaster relief funds to affected citizens and to restore public facilities and dispose of waste.

For agriculture, livestock, and small business owners affected by the heavy snow, the city distributed disaster relief funds for private facility restoration in two installments: 5.478 billion won on December 27 and 2.954 billion won on January 20, totaling 8.432 billion won.

As the heavy snow damage was widespread, the city extended the deadline for private facility damage reporting beyond the prescribed date (December 8) to December 13, and received damage reports in each eup, myeon, and dong.

For restoration of public facilities damaged by heavy snow, the city secured 990 million won in national, provincial, and city funds and is currently restoring 7 locations including sports facilities and 9 other facilities.

Additionally, the city coordinated with the Ministry of Environment to receive 2.39 billion won to cover debris and waste disposal costs from vinyl greenhouse and livestock facility collapses.

The city also submitted evidentiary materials to the government for snow removal agents and snow removal equipment rental costs on the day of the heavy snowfall and received 1.48 billion won, which is 50% of the necessary expenses.

Mayor Lee Sang-il stated, "I visited 19 heavy snow damage sites last year and assessed the damage situation. It was so unfortunate that words could not fully express it. We did our best to secure support funds to provide whatever help possible. Nevertheless, I believe there are limitations in completely restoring damage and receiving compensation for agricultural products. We will actively help affected citizens return to their daily lives as soon as possible."