The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Senior US general warns of possible looming war with China

  • 3

    BLACKPINK sets 6 more Guinness records

  • 5

    Jang Keun-suk steps out of his comfort zone with 'The Bait'

  • 7

    ENA's new dating show to spotlight young adult's romance

  • 9

    Cabinet ministries turn deaf ear to watchdog's advice on sexual minorities

  • 11

    Seoul to work with Hanoi to pursue peace on Korean peninsula

  • 13

    Korea's rice consumption hits another low in 2022: data

  • 15

    To speak Korean

  • 17

    Police to build disaster prediction system to prevent recurrence of Itaewon tragedy

  • 19

    SK E&S retains gov't support for Barossa gas project in Australia

  • 2

    People attempt to cut surging heating costs with creative solutions

  • 4

    National pension anticipated to be fully drained in 2055: NPS

  • 6

    TXT brings together 'pansori' and fairy tale in new song 'Sugar Rush Ride'

  • 8

    Bad weather disrupts operation of Jeju airport again after 3 days

  • 10

    More Korean manufacturers enjoy Georgia's hospitality

  • 12

    Superintendent of Seoul Education Office gets suspended jail term

  • 14

    Opposition leader Lee claims innocence in corruption probe

  • 16

    Suicidal pedestrian saved over Han River bridge

  • 18

    12 websites still unavailable after Chinese cyberattacks

  • 20

    Indonesia celebrates 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Korea via virtual event

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Sun, January 29, 2023 | 21:22
Residents, government poles apart
Posted : 2010-11-30 18:35
Updated : 2010-11-30 18:35
Lee Hyo-sik
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
By Lee Hyo-sik

The residents of Yeonpyeong Island, who were forced to flee their homes following North Korea’s artillery attack last week, remain in a deadlock with the government over compensation amounts for the loss of their properties and livelihoods.

The residents want the state to provide all the necessary support for them to resettle on the mainland, demanding they be given housing and a means of living on a permanent basis.

But the government is only willing to subsidize the recovery of the destroyed houses on the devastated island and the residents’ medical costs, and pay them compensation in a lump sum.

Out of a total 1,361 registered residents, most were evacuated to Incheon and other inland areas while dozens of people remain on the island. Many of the evacuees have been staying at 24-hour-saunas or temporary shelters, which they claim to be shoddy.

Choi Seong-il, the chairman of an ad-hoc Yeonpyeong Island emergency residents’ committee, says most residents have decided not to return to the island in fear of another deadly attack, urging the government to fully help them resettle on the mainland and make a living in a new community.

``Our lives were threatened in the past when military patrol boats from the two Koreas clashed near the island. The North’s attack this time has made it impossible for us to live there. Even though our parents lived and we were born on Yeonpyeong Island, we cannot live there anymore,’’ he said.

One Yeonpyeong resident who fled to Incheon last week also said most people are reluctant to go back in fear of further military conflict with the communist state.

``The island has become a place of horror, following the North’s attack last week. I don’t think I can persuade myself to go back. Even if I do, I have no place to live there because my home was destroyed by the bombing,’’ he said.

Another resident said she wants to resettle in a safer place and start a new life. ``To enable us to do so, the government should come up with a comprehensive package of measures to support our relocation. Rather than give us some housing subsidy and one-time monetary compensation, we want the government to fully support our livelihoods on a constant basis,’’ she said.

Yawning gap

However, the central government and Incheon City have been expressing difficulties agreeing to what Yeonpyeong residents are demanding, saying there is no legal basis for such support. They have been pledging to finance the ongoing restoration works on the island, provide residents with living subsidies and find them temporary housing.

Minister of Public Administration and Security Maeng Hyung-kyu told lawmakers Monday that the government will secure studio apartments and other types of housing in Songdo, Incheon.

``We will move Yeonpyeong residents staying in public saunas to Songdo. If the island is declared as a disaster zone, those whose houses are fully destroyed will receive 9 million won and ones with partial damage will be given 4.5 million won. But the government will pay for all the costs required to rebuild them,’’ Mang said.

The ministry said Friday that it will pay for all the expenses needed to refurbish houses destroyed due to the shelling that killed two civilians and two marines last Tuesday. According to the ministry, the attack completely destroyed 29 houses and damaged 80 others.

The government also announced a plan to provide 1 billion won in emergency relief funds to help residents restore their livelihoods. They will be given tax breaks when purchasing homes, cars, boats and other items to replace those destroyed.

Incheon City plans to offer up to 1 million won in subsidies per person and secure unsold public housing units of the Land & Housing Corp. in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, for residents. Ongjin County will also provide each evacuee with 30,000 won a day for meals and accommodation expenses.
Emailleehs@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
wooribank
Top 10 Stories
1Suicidal pedestrian saved over Han River bridge Suicidal pedestrian saved over Han River bridge
2Cambodian ministers highlight potential for growth, cooperationCambodian ministers highlight potential for growth, cooperation
3Korea to lift indoor mask mandate MondayKorea to lift indoor mask mandate Monday
4[INTERVIEW] Busan has potential to be world-class city, says mayorINTERVIEWBusan has potential to be world-class city, says mayor
5Youth, foreign drug offenders increase threefold in 5 years Youth, foreign drug offenders increase threefold in 5 years
6Hana unveils vision to become Asia's best financial group Hana unveils vision to become Asia's best financial group
7Main opposition leader faces pressure to resign in case of indictment Main opposition leader faces pressure to resign in case of indictment
8Seoul International School celebrates 50th anniversary Seoul International School celebrates 50th anniversary
9Plumb trees, pheasants and promises of old Korea Plumb trees, pheasants and promises of old Korea
10Samsung to introduce low-carbon diet for employees to help tackle climate change Samsung to introduce low-carbon diet for employees to help tackle climate change
Top 5 Entertainment News
1BLACKPINK sets 6 more Guinness records BLACKPINK sets 6 more Guinness records
2Jang Keun-suk steps out of his comfort zone with 'The Bait' Jang Keun-suk steps out of his comfort zone with 'The Bait'
3TXT brings together 'pansori' and fairy tale in new song 'Sugar Rush Ride' TXT brings together 'pansori' and fairy tale in new song 'Sugar Rush Ride'
4ENA's new dating show to spotlight young adult's romance ENA's new dating show to spotlight young adult's romance
5Kim Jung-hyun returns to small screen with 'Kokdu: Season of Deity' Kim Jung-hyun returns to small screen with 'Kokdu: Season of Deity'
DARKROOM
  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

  • World Cup 2022 France vs Morocco

    World Cup 2022 France vs Morocco

wooribank
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group