Government to use US$ 159 million for Gangwon-do Province wildfire recovery efforts

To help the victims of the fire-hit regions in Gangwon-do province,.... as well as speed up forest restoration efforts.... the government unveils its comprehensive support package on Wednesday. Our Kim Min-ji has more. The South Korean government will spend around 160 million U.S. dollars to deal with the aftermath of a recent series of forest fires in Gangwon-do Province.The decision was reached on Wednesday during a meeting between the ruling Democratic Party, related government ministries and the presidential office."The government and ruling party will devise all possible means and methods. We will use state funds and public donations to support the displaced, injured and families of the bereaved. We hope these measures will be able to lessen the pain of the victims."The funds will be used to provide temporary housing for the displaced,... as well as to provide agricultural machinery before the harvest season.A portion will also be set aside for forest restoration.The government will also efficiently spend 40 million dollars, raised from public donations, for the victims."We've drawn up the support package based on the most necessary things as well as requests from the people -- for living stability and for rehabilitation. If there are any areas that need to be bolstered, we will improve those areas." . The fires broke out across Gangwon-do Province in early April,... causing over 110 million dollars in damages.It burnt over 500 houses,... left two people dead,... and more than one-thousand others displaced.The five regions engulfed in the blaze have been designated as special disaster zones,... enabling the affected areas and their residents to receive government support."A lot of work was needed to put this comprehensive package together. We will do our best to set a good example of recovery work as soon as possible."The three sides also noted the need for the National Assembly to quickly pass the government's supplementary budget bill, which includes another 80 million dollars for fire restoration efforts.They vowed to step up preparations so the extra budget can be implemented as soon as it's approved.Kim Min-ji, Arirang News.