Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Operations for the people are continuously being deployed. The military continued operations in flood-stricken areas nationwide on July 19 to care for people who lost homes and property. Here are stories about the operations and soldiers who worked hard in search and recovery.

First Marine Division Quick Maneuver Force soldiers remove earth from houses in Junsi Village, Eunpung-myeon, Gyeongsangbuk-do, on July 19.

Reported by Kim Byeong-mun

The 53rd Infantry Division Ulsan Brigade soldiers search for missing people in Namchangcheon Stream in Ulsan, on July 19.

Photo provided by civilian military employee Jang Jeong-woo

Air Force soldiers repair roads in a flood-stricken area of Yecheon-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, on July 19.

Provided by Air Force

Soldiers of the Navy 3rd Fleet collect marine debris by using cleanup boats at an embankment at the mouth of Yeongsangang River, on July 19.

Provided by the Navy

Making all-out efforts for recovery in flood-hit areas

On July 19, residents diligently rebuilt villages and recovered roads in Yecheon-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Soldiers led these efforts. They were engaged in recovery operations in Eunpung-myeon, Gamcheon-myeon, Yongmun-myeon, and Hyoja-myeon early in the morning.

Soldiers from the Marine Corps have been assisting in restoring the livelihoods of residents in Junsi Village, Eunpung-myeon. The 1st Marine Division deployed 1,330 soldiers from the Quick Maneuver Force to aid in cleanup efforts and search for missing individuals in Yecheon-gun. Of these, 173 were assigned to Eunpung-myeon, including 40 in Junsi Village. Their duties included removing household items that were covered in muddy water from homes in the morning and reconnecting disrupted village roads.

Four soldiers including Sergeant First Class Lee Jin-woo worked to restore the persimmon tree fields of resident Park Cheol-ho. They stayed in Mungyeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do for three days, away from their station in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Other soldiers from the 1st Marine Division quartered at subordinate units under the 50th Infantry Division in order to be engaged in recovery efforts nearby.

Sergeant First Class Lee and soldiers worked in the persimmon tree fields for three hours from 8 to 11 in the morning. They had lunch at a senior citizen center with their clothes fully wet. Lee said, “Since the field was about 3,300m2(1,000pyeong)wide,itrequiredalotofwork,and,althoughitwaschallenging,wearedoingourbesttohelpresidentswhotrustus.”

In addition, the 1st Marine Division deployed 58 soldiers to Gamcheon-myeon, 40 to Yongmun-myeon, and 55 to Hyoja-myeon. It also provided various equipment, including seven decontamination trucks, three water wagons, three excavators, four dump trucks, and one payloader.

The Air Force was also engaged in a recovery operation in the Yecheon area, with 140 soldiers, six excavators and four dump trucks.

Air Force members, in particular, assisted residents affected by landslides. They worked tirelessly to remove earth and sand from houses and community facilities that were hit. Despite high temperatures and humidity, they were dedicated to helping residents return to their normal lives.

Meanwhile, along with heavy equipment, soldiers repaired the banks of streams and creeks. After having lunch prepared by the unit, the soldiers cleared agricultural drainage pipes covered with mud and sand, as well as fallen trees and mud on roads near the Yangsu power plant.

Massive deployment of soldiers and equipment aids in search for missing people and road repairs

The military deployed 11,000 soldiers and 670 pieces of equipment to flood-affected areas across 34 cities and counties nationwide.

Disaster recovery operations were launched by 860 soldiers from the 35th Infantry Division, the 7th Special Forces Brigade 'Pegasus', and the 11th Special Forces Brigade 'Golden Bat', all under the Special Warfare Command. They were deployed in Yongan-myeon, Yongdong-myeon, and Mangseong-myeon in Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do. In these areas, an expanse of 4,730,000㎡ (1.43 million pyeong) was inundated, resulting in 6,500 vinyl greenhouses and 90 houses being submerged.

Soldiers removed agricultural fuel oil floating in flooded areas by using 18 pieces of equipment including excavators and decontamination vehicles.

In villages, they helped restore the livelihoods of residents using excavators, water pumps and decontamination vehicles.

Lieutenant Colonel Kim Heon-soo, commander of the Signal Battalion of the 35th Infantry Division, who lead the operations, said, “We will do our best to help residents return to their normal lives.”

On the same day, 50 soldiers from the Ulsan Brigade of the 53rd Infantry Division searched for missing people in Ulsan-si using drones.

On the fourth day, the 126th Brigade ‘Elephant’ of the 53rd Infantry Division continued to search for a woman in her 60s who was washed away amid heavy rain in Hakjangcheon Stream in Busan. Meanwhile, the Engineering Battalion of the brigade aided with road repairs by dispatching excavators and large trucks to Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do.

The 203rd Special Operations Brigade ‘Tiger Dragon’ of the 2nd Quick Response Division was deployed in Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do. Also, 150 soldiers repaired roads and homes and removed earth and sand in Ungjin-dong, Singwan-dong, Junghak-dong, and Gyeryong-myeon in Gongju-si.

The Navy 3rd Fleet removed marine debris near an embankment at the estuary of the Yeongsangang River together with the Mokpo Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries and maritime police. They cleared land waste on the sea route of Mokpo Port due to torrential rainfall. Ten soldiers and one boat were engaged in the cleanup operation.

The 2nd Fleet conducted a recovery operation for three days in areas affected by rain on Eocheongdo Island in the West Sea.

By Hyun-woo, Seo <lgiant61@dema.mi.kr>

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