Gov't designates 6 more typhoon-stricken regions as special disaster zones

The South Korean government on Monday designated six more regions in the southern part of the country that were hit hard by the latest typhoon as special disaster areas.

The new designated areas hit hard by Typhoon Chaba were Busan's Saha district, Gyeongju, Tongyoung, Geoje, Yangsan and Jeju Island.

With the announcement, the total number of areas designated as disaster zones reached eight. Soon after the typhoon hit the country, part of Ulsan and nearby Ulju County were marked as areas eligible for state assistance.

The Ministry of Public Safety and Security said the damages done to the six areas surpassed the sum that is needed for central government support. Once designated as such, the area and residents can get financial and logistical assistance, such as tax cuts, in a swift manner.

Since Oct. 7, the government has formed a special assessment team, consisting of public and private safety experts, to check damage and help accelerate recovery efforts. (Yonhap)