Heavy rains in South Korea cause 18 deaths, 9 missing

Heavy rains and landslides in South Korea over the past week have resulted in eighteen deaths and nine missing persons.

The majority of casualties occurred in Sancheong county with ten dead and four missing, followed by Gapyeong county with two deaths and four missing, and Seosan city with two fatalities.

Rescue efforts are ongoing as more than 14,000 people have taken shelter across major cities and provinces, with property damage cases totaling over 4,237 at both public and private facilities.

Nationwide, the interior ministry reports that floodwaters have caused extensive destruction to roads, soil loss, and damage to public and private properties.

The state weather agency forecasts continued rainfall through Monday morning in South Jeolla Province, South Gyeongsang Province, and the southern island of Jeju, with North Jeolla and North Gyeongsang provinces expecting rain starting at 9 a.m., while the capital area and Gangwon and Chungcheong provinces are forecast to receive rain in the afternoon.

The government has lifted all heavy rain advisories and lowered the warning level from 'serious' to 'attention'.