Southern Regions Worst Affected, Thousands Evacuated
Sancheong, in the south, has been among the hardest-hit areas, with six people reported dead and seven still missing. In Chungcheong, a landslide buried an entire village under mud and debris. In the resort town of Gapyeong, footage showed residents wading through thick mud, attempting to reach evacuation shelters over a damaged bridge.
Across the country, nearly 10,000 people have evacuated since the rains began on Wednesday. More than 41,000 households temporarily lost power, and thousands of livestock have perished due to submerged farmland. While rain has eased in southern and central parts, it has now shifted northwards, with further heavy showers expected in Seoul and nearby regions.
Government Declares Disaster Zones, Prepares for Heatwave
On Sunday, President Lee Jae-myung declared the worst-hit areas as special disaster zones and initiated a coordinated recovery operation involving multiple government agencies. Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung urged local authorities to act quickly and deploy all available resources to support affected communities.
In Gapyeong County, a landslide engulfed several homes, killing two people. Although the rain is forecast to end by late Sunday, the country is bracing for an intense heatwave in the coming days, which could further complicate recovery and health efforts.
