Lee Jae-myung, the president, directed the quick assessment of the damage situation and the prompt declaration of a special disaster zone, spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung said on the 20th.
Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung noted in a message sent to reporters that the president issued such directives along with instructions to swiftly grasp the damage situation.
Once designated as a special disaster zone, residents are provided with benefits such as tax payment deferments and reductions in public utility costs. Local governments can alleviate their financial burdens by receiving support from the central government for part of the disaster recovery expenses.
According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters and the National Fire Agency, as of 11 a.m. on the 16th, 14 people had died and 12 were missing due to the heavy rain that began on the 16th.
On the 18th, the president visited the Central Disaster and Safety Situation Room at the Government Complex Seoul and presided over a meeting, stating, "We will take damage and accident prevention measures to an extent that may seem excessive."