South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has designated the entire southeastern city of Tongyeong as a special disaster zone following torrential rains that caused widespread damage across the region. The designation makes the city eligible for increased government support for recovery and reconstruction, with authorities preparing to step up relief efforts.

Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung announced the decision in a written briefing on Friday, highlighting the need for stronger recovery measures following the extreme rainfall. Tongyeong and neighbouring areas in South Gyeongsang Province were among the locations severely affected by the downpours, with the province recording more than 800 millimetres of rain in August.

The latest designation expands an earlier government decision taken last month, when parts of Tongyeong and neighbouring Geoje were declared special disaster zones. Under the system, affected communities can receive state funding for reconstruction, while residents may also benefit from certain tax reductions and discounts on utility fees as part of the government's disaster-relief measures.

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South Korea's National Tax Service has separately introduced tax relief measures for taxpayers affected by the torrential rains. On August 24, the agency announced that payment deadlines for corporate tax, value-added tax and comprehensive income tax could be extended by up to two years upon request from taxpayers affected by the flooding.

The NTS also decided to automatically extend the deadline for interim corporate tax payments that were originally due at the end of August. For affected companies in the designated areas, the deadline will be extended by two months to November 2 without requiring them to submit an application. The agency has also planned to delay tax audits involving taxpayers in the fisheries, tourism and shipbuilding sectors.

The tax authority indicated that support would not be limited strictly to the officially designated disaster zones, with assistance available to other taxpayers facing difficulties because of the heavy rains where legally permitted. The measures are part of wider government efforts to help residents, businesses and key industries recover from the severe weather and its economic impact.

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