Archive · 4 Sep 2026
President Lee Designates Flood-Hit Tongyeong Special Disaster Zone
Very heavy rain caused serious problems in Tongyeong and nearby areas of South Korea.
More than 800 millimetres of rain fell in South Gyeongsang Province in August.
President Lee Jae Myung declared the entire city of Tongyeong a special disaster zone.
This means the government can help pay for rebuilding and recovery.
Residents may also receive some tax and utility-fee support.
The National Tax Service will extend some tax payment deadlines for affected taxpayers.
Some companies will automatically receive more time to make interim corporate tax payments.
Tax audits will also be delayed for certain fisheries, tourism and shipbuilding businesses.
President Lee Jae Myung designated all of Tongyeong a special disaster zone after torrential rains.
The designation makes Tongyeong eligible for government reconstruction funding and recovery assistance.
More than 800 millimetres of rain fell across South Gyeongsang Province in August.
Parts of Tongyeong and neighboring Geoje had already received the designation last month.
The National Tax Service is offering tax extensions, audit delays and other relief to affected taxpayers.
- Who
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, the South Korean government and the National Tax Service.
- What
- Tongyeong was designated a special disaster zone, with recovery aid and tax relief announced for affected people and businesses.
- When
- The designation was announced on Friday; the rains occurred in August, and earlier designations were made last month.
- Where
- Tongyeong and other parts of South Gyeongsang Province in southeastern South Korea, including nearby Geoje.
- Why
- Torrential rains caused severe disruption and prompted government recovery and taxpayer-support measures.
- Affected city
- Tongyeong, South Korea
- Disaster designation
- The entire city of Tongyeong was designated a special disaster zone.
- Rainfall
- More than 800 millimetres of rain fell across South Gyeongsang Province in August.
- Government assistance
- Special disaster zones are eligible for state reconstruction funding.
- Tax deadline relief
- Affected taxpayers may receive extensions of up to two years upon request for corporate, value-added and comprehensive income taxes.
- Automatic corporate-tax extension
- Interim corporate tax payments originally due at the end of August will be automatically extended by two months to November 2 for affected companies in the region.
- Tax audits
- Audits will be delayed for affected taxpayers in the fisheries, tourism and shipbuilding industries.