Gyeongsangbuk-do announced on the 7th that it has received government funding following the confirmation of 138.1 billion won for the treatment of 1.54 million tons of disaster waste caused by the massive wildfire in the northeastern region, as part of the 2025 supplementary government budget.
Gyeongsangbuk-do had been advocating for government support for the waste treatment costs of 138.1 billion won to protect the lives and properties of its residents and swiftly restore the affected areas.
Based on regions, Andong City will receive 43.1 billion won (480,000 tons), Yeongdeok County will get 41.5 billion won (470,000 tons), Cheongsong County 38.5 billion won (450,000 tons), Uiseong County 11.5 billion won (110,000 tons), and Yeongyang County 3.5 billion won (30,000 tons) in government funding.
To handle the total 1.54 million tons of waste, Gyeongsangbuk-do has mobilized 80 demolition companies, 40 transport and processing companies, and 244 vehicles for ongoing processing, having treated 120,000 tons of disaster waste as of the 1st of this month.
Demolition work in the severely affected areas of Andong, Uiseong, and Yeongdeok has progressed by 45-51%, and waste treatment is being carried out sequentially.
Additionally, due to the nature of the work, where transportation occurs after a certain amount of waste is accumulated post-demolition village by village, waste treatment shows a slightly lower rate than the demolition rate.
Gyeongsangbuk-do also supports the waste treatment for factories and businesses affected by the wildfire. Although factory disaster waste isn’t eligible for government funding under current laws, continuous efforts by Gyeongsangbuk-do and active discussions with the Ministry of Environment and the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters have secured financial support.
The factory waste from 65 companies in the Gyeongbuk area amounts to 27,000 tons, with 4,545 tons processed in Andong Namhu Industrial Complex and Yeongdeok area so far. Plans are in place to swiftly handle waste treatment in other areas according to the demolition schedule.
Lee Kyung-gon, Director of the Climate and Environment Bureau of Gyeongsangbuk-do, stated, “We aim to fully process waste generated from residential facilities by the end of June 2025, utilizing all available resources and closely cooperating with the Ministry of Environment and local governments. We will do our best in waste treatment so the residents who have lost their homes due to this wildfire can return to their normal lives as soon as possible.”