President Lee Jae Myung has earmarked additional governmental funding for six areas of South Jeolla Province that suffered significant damage after last month’s heavy rain.

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said Thursday that the president had designated six areas of Muan and Hampyeong counties, which saw severe downpour from August 3 to 14, as special disaster zones.

Kang said that President Lee had urged relevant ministries to promptly finalize recovery plans and ensure that residents of the affected areas could return to their daily lives as soon as possible.

The six areas will be eligible for partial state coverage of recovery costs, and residents will be offered financial assistance, along with deferred taxes and reduced public utility fees.