On March 3rd, the regions of Yeongdeok-gun and Cheongsong-gun in North Gyeongsang Province, which suffered disaster damage from a wildfire, have been designated as special regeneration areas.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 12th that the special regeneration areas have been designated for Seok-ri and Nomul-ri in Yeongdeok-eup, Yeongdeok-gun, and Bugok-ri in Cheongsong-eup, Cheongsong-gun, following the Urban Regeneration Special Committee's review.
The special regeneration project is a follow-up measure to the 'wildfire damage support plan' established at a government-wide level on February 2nd, aimed at promoting urban regeneration projects at the individual village level in areas severely affected by disasters, such as dwellings, infrastructure, and agricultural facilities. This designation of special regeneration areas marks the second instance following the designation for Heunghae-eup in Pohang, which was affected by an earthquake in November 2018.
Previously, to carry out urban regeneration projects, local governments had to establish urban regeneration strategic plans (basic plans every ten years) targeting their jurisdiction, going through the process of designating urban regeneration revival areas. Following that, urban regeneration revitalization plans (project plans) would be established for the designated areas, leading to decisions on national support such as government funding through Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport public projects.
However, if designated as special regeneration areas, the procedures for urban regeneration projects in disaster-affected regions are simplified. If the government directly designates areas as special regeneration areas where damages exceed 10 billion won, local governments can establish special regeneration plans (project plans equivalent to revitalization plans) for the designated special regeneration areas, allowing them to implement urban regeneration projects with government funding.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will support 8 billion won in first-year project costs secured through the supplementary budget this year for the newly designated Yeongdeok-gun and Cheongsong-gun as special regeneration areas (4 billion won per local government).
Local governments will immediately commence the establishment of special regeneration plans (draft). Even before the establishment and approval of the special regeneration plan, urgent restoration works will be prioritized to prevent soil runoff and landslide risks caused by heavy rain during the rainy season.
Through this special regeneration project, not only will the maintenance of residential and infrastructure facilities and the establishment of disaster response infrastructure be pursued, but also specialized projects. Yeongdeok-gun aims to revitalize the economy through marine tourism facilities and local resources such as snow crab, while Cheongsong-gun will promote tourism through commercial and accommodation facilities centered around Dalki Mineral Spring.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to specify the detailed project directions and total project costs during the establishment of the special regeneration plan (draft). The special regeneration plan is expected to be approved as early as the first half of next year.