By Yoon Won-sup
Staff Reporter
The government decided Monday to declare the western coastal area of Taean, South Chungcheong Province, affected by the nation's worst-ever oil spill, a special disaster area.
Park Myung-jae, minister of government administration and home affairs, made the announcement when he visited the oil-devastated region.
``We will declare Taean as a special disaster zone in a couple of days after due procedures,'' Park said. ``For fast restoration work, the government will provide subsidies and other forms of financial support as soon as possible.''
The declaration requires final approval by President Roh Moo-hyun, likely to be announced today given the large incidence of the oil spills, according to sources.
Once the government declares Taean a disaster area, local government and residents in the affected area will be eligible for state subsidies and compensation as thousands of people struggle to clean up the leaked oil.
Among other things, the residents will be entitled to more than double the amount of financial assistance normally provided by the government to victims of natural disasters, while the affected local governments will receive 20-30 percent more than normal subsidies.
The area will also be provided with manpower and equipment to help in recovery efforts, as well as tax cuts and medical and quarantine services.
Previously, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo had instructed Park to visit Taean in order to see if it was possible to make such a declaration. Han issued the order before leaving for China for a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao.
At Han's instruction, related vice ministers met later in the day to discuss follow-up measures to clean up the affected area and compensate the residents.
Meanwhile, presidential candidates also called for immediate support for Taean.
The Grand National Party (GNP) suggested the National Assembly launch a special committee to deal with the damage. GNP standard-bearer Lee Myung-bak, who visited the area, said his party will not do any campaigning activities there but will only join in cleaning up activities.
Independent candidate Lee Hoi-chang also visited Taean, Monday, and joined the recovery work as did candidate Chung Dong-young of the United New Democratic Party on Sunday.
The oil leaked after an 11,800-ton crane-carrying barge collided with 146,000-ton tanker in waters off Taean, 90 kilometers southwest of Seoul, Friday.