The Ministry of SMEs and Startups moved to support the rapid restoration of traditional markets in South Gyeongsang Province damaged by torrential downpours and to assist affected merchants.
Lee Byeong-gweon, the second vice minister of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS), visited Gohyeon Market in Geoje and Seohomarket in Tongyeong on the 18th, where torrential rain caused damage, to inspect the flood damage and restoration status and to hear difficulties and on-site feedback from affected merchants.
According to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS), as of now, shops in 17 traditional markets in South Gyeongsang Province have been damaged by flooding and mud outflow due to the torrential downpours. There were no casualties.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) is operating a close response system with related agencies, including local governments, regional offices of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and the Small Enterprise & Market Service (SEMAS), to quickly grasp the damage and recovery status and ensure support for affected merchants proceeds without a hitch.
To prevent additional safety accidents at electricity and gas facilities due to flooding, the ministry requested an emergency safety inspection from related agencies such as the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), and, based on the inspection results, plans to promptly support the restoration of electricity and gas facilities that suffered flood damage.
It will also run a one-stop support center and promote financial support such as government policy funds and guarantees to help small business owners in damaged traditional markets quickly normalize their operations.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) plans to introduce a safety inspection system for traditional markets to prepare for flooding through specialized institutions, identify markets vulnerable to flood damage, and support a traditional market safety management package project to enable a preemptive response to summer downpours.
Lee Byeong-gweon, the second vice minister, said, "I offer my deepest condolences to the traditional market merchants who suffered flood damage due to the torrential downpours," and added, "We will support swift damage recovery by communicating closely with related ministries, local governments, and related agencies so that they can return to their livelihoods as soon as possible."