The Korea Herald

지나쌤

Korea to consider designating Pohang as special disaster zone

By Yonhap

Published : Nov. 16, 2017 - 10:00

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South Korea will consider designating the southeastern port city of Pohang, which was hit hard by a powerful earthquake, as a special disaster area, the finance minister said Thursday.

"After checking the damages and losses in Pohang, the government will consider the designation," Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon said at a press briefing in Seoul. 

Apartment in Pohang affected by the earthquake (Yonhap) Apartment in Pohang affected by the earthquake (Yonhap)


He said the finance ministry will seek ways to give fiscal support to those in need and use emergency funding if necessary.

On Wednesday, a 5.4 magnitude earthquake struck Pohang at 2:29 p.m., injuring nearly 60 people and damaging buildings, windows and cars.

The South Korean government postponed the state-run college entrance exam nationwide by a week, as the quake caused cracks in some school buildings in Pohang. (Yonhap)

Earthquake damages buildings in Pohang (Yonhap) Earthquake damages buildings in Pohang (Yonhap)