Yoon additionally designates 11 special disaster zones over rain damage

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday designated an additional 11 areas in the central and southern regions as special disaster zones to help them cope with damage from recent downpours, his office said. The 11 -- including Okcheon in North Chungcheong Province, Geumsan and Buyeo in South Chungcheong Province, Iksan in North Jeolla Province, and Andong in North Gyeongsang Province -- were given the designations following a full-scale damage survey, according to presidential spokesperson Jeong Hye-jeon. Last week, Yoon had designated five areas as special disaster zones following a preliminary survey. The designation of a special disaster zone makes the area eligible for the government's financial support for recovery work, relief funds for victims and other benefits. Yoon instructed relevant ministers to "take steps to ensure emergency recovery and relief assistance are provided swiftly to all areas that suffered damage from the downpours, including the special disaster zones, by focusing all of the governm ent's capabilities," Jeong said. Yoon also called for thorough management of the fruit and vegetable markets to prevent price volatility, she said. Source: Yonhap News Agency