From July 16 to 20, the Chungcheong region in Korea was hit by a torrential downpour said to occur only once in 200 years, causing severe human and material damage. Particularly hard-hit were the areas of Yesan and Seosan, which were declared “Special Disaster Zones” by the government due to the extent of the damage.

Twenty-four temples affiliated with the Jogye Order in the Chungcheong area suffered significant damage from the record rainfall, including collapsed buildings, flooding, retaining wall failures, mud flow, road washouts, fallen trees, and sinkholes.

On July 24, Venerable Jinwoo, the president of the Jogye Order visited Yulgoksa Temple in Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do, and then Sudeoksa Temple to inspect the flood-affected sites and deliver recovery funds.

“The government has declared the affected areas as Special Disaster Zones and is providing swift support,” said Venerable Jinwoo. “The Jogye Order will also do its part to help displaced residents return to their daily lives as quickly as possible.”

Meanwhile, the Jogye Order’s Social Welfare Foundation (chaired by Venerable Jinwoo) dispatched an emergency relief team to Sancheong in Gyeongsangnam-do and Seosan in Chungcheongnam-do on July 22 to carry out recovery efforts.