Flooding in South Korea: All Affected Celebrities + Latest Update

The worst storm in almost a century in Seoul, South Korea caused grave damage. In a recent report from CNN, the continuous rainfall flooded homes, roads, and subway stations. There have also been 9 recorded deaths.

In the same report, South Korea’s Interior and Safe Ministry said that three of those people who died were trapped in a flooded semi-basement. While 17 were injured and 7 people remain missing. 

  • A victim died while removing a tree that fell on the sidewalk, and is assumed to be electrocuted.
  • In addition, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed two Chinese citizens also died. One died in a landslide at Hwaseong. The other was electrocuted during outdoor construction work during the storm.
Photo courtesy of CNN
  • A report from Bloomberg stated that the storm started on Monday. The Meteorological Agency said that it has dumped 525 millimeters (20.7 inches) of rain in certain parts of Seoul.
  • This is the highest rate since the authorities began to keep records in 1907.

What caused the intense rain?

Climate change was highlighted as a critical reason that led to the flooding in parts of South Korea, according to a report from BBC. A KMA official stated such intensity can only be directed to these shifts in temperature.

Such sharp increase in precipitation and frequent torrential rains cannot be explained without the big trend of climate change.

Recent aftermath

  • With the torrential rain subsiding on Wednesday, it gave government officials and agencies time to drain flooded subways and fix damages. However, it was forecasted that up to 80 millimeters of rainfall would add through Thursday.
  • CNN reported that “more than 500 people have been evacuated since heavy rain lashed Seoul Monday night, with the ministry providing tents, blankets, and other aid items.” In addition, cleanup and rescue services were also provided. The fire department has rescued 145 people as of Wednesday. 
  • The eased weather gave authorities ample time to repair most of the structural damages. They were a total of 2,800 structures including houses, shops, retaining walls, and other pieces of infrastructure.
Debris piled up in front of flood-damaged stores at the Namsung Sagye Market in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022. The torrential rains that started on Monday and continued into Tuesday caused flooding in parts of the city center. Photographer: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg
  • The worst affected regions by the flooding were the south of Han River, including the Gangnam district. The place is famous for its abundant economic growth. Due to the flooding, debris and wreckage were all over the streets, as well as crumbling pavements and damaged vehicles swept up by floodwater. 
  • Government authorities have yet to report the official total cost of damage. According to the General Insurance Association of Korea, an association of insurers including Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance and Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance, around 7, 678 car owners stated damages due to the flood. The cost of compensation is estimated to be around 97.76 billion won ($74.6 million).
  • Seoul typically makes an average of 348 millimeters (13.7 inches) of rain in August. But areas recorded as much rain in just one day.

Government response and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s drop of support

Urgency is the most vital requirement of government authorities during a climate crisis. With extreme weather, an urgent response is necessary to keep the damages as little as possible.

South Korea’s president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during a news conference at the National Assembly in Seoul on March 10, 2022, the morning after his victory in the country’s presidential election. (Photo by KIM HONG-JI / POOL / AFP) (Photo by KIM HONG-JI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The city received quick responses in restoring electricity, draining floods, and fixing damages. However, the South Korean President, Yoon Suk Yeol, faced a dropping approval rating to 24 percent according to the latest Gallup Korea poll. 

In a report from TheGuardian, the current president is facing criticism for his absence from the government’s emergency control center since the start of the flooding. Although local media reported it was due to the flooding around his house, his office denied the claim. They said that he decided to stay at home and left the response to his team. 

The criticisms of the President trend on Twitter

The president also trended on Twitter in South Korea with the people criticizing his decision to move the presidential office away from the Blue House. It has always been the residence and administrative facility which had operational centers for crisis management.

An opposition lawmaker coined the term “phone-tol” for Yoon who simply issued commands by phone safely from his home.

He apologized for the inconvenience it caused and told officials to focus on the most vulnerable. “Those who struggle financially or with physical difficulties are bound to be more vulnerable to natural disasters,” he said.

Photo courtesy of Newsnpr

The president sent condolences to the victims. He has also spoken about mitigating a better response to address climate change. “The government must review the current disaster management system from square one, given that abnormal weather caused by climate change is becoming a part of everyday life,” he said.

He continued, “We should respond all out until the situation is over in order to protect the precious people’s lives and property and take steps until the end until the people feel that they are enough.”

However, at least for the people of South Korea, this does not excuse his negligence during the downpour.


Were there celebrities or idols affected by the flood?

News sites have yet to report celebrities that were affected by the flood. But a thread from Reddit shows a few fans discussing updates from certain celebrities. 

  • K-pop girl group PURPLE KISS had to cancel their appearance on After School Club due to the flooding:

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  • Shinwon, from the K-pop boy group Pentagon, was late for his radio show. Similar to him, Mingi from ATEEZ also started his birthday live late:

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  • Jung Chan-sung, The Korean Zombie from the UFC, had his gym flooded because of the downpour:

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  • A fan account of Hwanho, a South Korean rock band, showed an Instagram story of one of the members. Their studio was damaged by the flood.

We express condolences to the families of the victims who died, and we hope for a rapid return to the bustling city of Seoul. 

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