By Kang Hyun-kyung
Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik announced Monday a 30 billion won government emergency budget to help Yeonpyeong islanders whose lives were destroyed after North Korea’s deadly artillery attack on Nov. 23.
He will oversee a committee for reconstruction on the five islands, including Yeonpyeong, near the maritime border in the West Sea as safeguards for the nation’s peace and prosperity.
The measure came days after the islanders voiced concern over lax security and the threat of further attacks targeting the area.
Some called on the government to come up with a relocation plan, expressing a fear of living there because of the North Korean threat.
“In addition to the implementation of emergency relief, the government will work on a mid- to long-term project to improve living conditions of the residents of the five islands in the West Sea,” the prime minister said during a news conference held at a press briefing room in the government complex in Seoul.
“A task force will take care of this.”
He presented comprehensive measures to help the displaced residents of the island, as well as other people who suffered material damage after the North’s latest provocative action.
They are follow-up measures that were outlined during President Lee Myung-bak’s special speech to the nation days after the North Korean attack.
On Nov. 23 North Korea fired hundreds of artillery fires at Yeonpyeong Island, killing four South Koreans and wounding 46 others.
Several homes were destroyed ― some of them burned completely to the ground ― leading to hundreds of people being displaced.
In addition to the material damage, the attack led the islanders to realize the chilling reality that they are exposed to life-threatening dangers from the North.
People on the four islands close to Yeonpyeong ― Baengnyeong, Daecheong, Socheong, and Udo ― are also living amid uncertainty as they could be North Korea’s next target.
Earlier, President Lee directed the military to toughen security on the islands after North Korea vowed more attacks on South Korean territory.
Prime Minister Kim pledged the fastest possible support to help the islanders lead normal lives.
Under the plan, the islanders will get subsidies and the government will finance the reconstruction of their destroyed homes and neighborhoods.
Through the emergency relief fund, Yeonpyong islanders will receive 1 million won in subsidies, while free childcare services will be offered to the families whose houses were damaged.
The government plans to provide financial assistance to families whose primary income comes from fishing after conducting an investigation of their income losses.
It also plans to provide subsidies for residents of the other four islands to reconstruct older housing.