All of Geoje and the Sanyang-eup and Bongpyeong-dong Areas of Tongyeong Declared Special Disaster Zones — 13 Additional Forms of Support Including Health Insurance Premiums, Electricity and Telecommunications
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
All of Geoje in Gyeongnam and the Sanyang-eup and Bongpyeong-dong areas of Tongyeong were declared special disaster zones ahead of other areas on August 21, 2026, so affected residents there receive 13 additional forms of support, such as reductions in health insurance premiums and in electricity, telecommunications, city gas and district heating charges, on top of the existing 25 forms of support.
Key facts
| Date of declaration | August 21, 2026 (with presidential approval, declared ahead of the central joint survey) |
|---|---|
| Areas covered | All of Geoje in Gyeongnam, and the Sanyang-eup and Bongpyeong-dong areas of Tongyeong |
| Additional support | 13 forms of support, such as reductions in health insurance premiums and in electricity, telecommunications, city gas and district heating charges (in addition to the 25 forms of support for ordinary disaster areas) |
| Disaster relief payment | Paid to affected residents regardless of whether a special disaster zone has been declared |
| Cause of damage | Heavy rain from August 15 to 18 — 956.1 mm in Geoje and 766.9 mm in Tongyeong, with a maximum of 124.5 mm per hour in Geoje |
| Declaration criteria | For a si, gun or gu, damage exceeding 2.5 times the national funding support threshold; for an eup, myeon or dong, exceeding 1/4 of that threshold |
| Inquiries | Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Recovery Support Division 044-205-5314, Disaster Site Support Coordination Division 044-205-5514 |
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The Ministry of the Interior and Safety (행정안전부) announced that, with presidential approval, it declared all of Geoje in Gyeongnam and the Sanyang-eup and Bongpyeong-dong areas of Tongyeong as special disaster zones (특별재난지역) on August 21, ahead of other areas, following the heavy rain that continued from August 15 to 18, 2026. Residents of special disaster zones receive 13 additional forms of support, such as reductions in health insurance premiums and in electricity, telecommunications, city gas and district heating charges, on top of the 25 forms of support provided in ordinary disaster areas, including deferral of national and local tax payments. Disaster relief payments are made to affected residents regardless of whether a special disaster zone has been declared.
Background — why this change
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety carried out a preliminary damage survey of Geoje and Tongyeong from August 18 to 19, and the survey confirmed that all of Geoje and the Sanyang-eup and Bongpyeong-dong areas of Tongyeong met the criteria for a special disaster zone declaration. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters explained that it declared the special disaster zones ahead of the central joint survey in order to speed up recovery and response. The heavy rain caused casualties, flooding of homes, schools and traditional markets, road damage and landslides.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
What changes in the support residents receive once a special disaster zone is declared?
On top of the 25 forms of support provided in ordinary disaster areas, including deferral of national and local tax payments, 13 additional forms of support are provided, such as reductions in health insurance premiums and in electricity, telecommunications, city gas and district heating charges. In addition, part of the recovery costs that local governments would otherwise bear is additionally covered by national funds.
Can residents of areas that were not declared receive support?
Disaster relief payments are made to affected residents regardless of whether a special disaster zone has been declared. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters stated that for affected areas not declared this time, it plans to recommend an additional declaration to the President if they meet the criteria after local governments' own surveys and a detailed survey by the central joint survey team.
How much rain fell?
This heavy rain brought 956.1 mm of rain to Geoje and 766.9 mm to Tongyeong. In Geoje in particular, a maximum of 124.5 mm per hour fell, the highest precipitation since weather observation began.