In Such Dire Situation to Desert One’s Home Town

Choi Jin-ho (29, Yongchun Ri, Suh Myun, Yangyang County, Kangwon Province) like many other people in that region lost everything to the typhoon. Nonetheless, he is doing nothing to pick up the pieces.

Choi, who has lived in Yongchun Ri for 5 years, decided to move into a city, leaving the country town. He has lost to the flood almost everything he had: farming field turned into a barren field; and fruit-bearing plants, 100 chickens, truck and tractor all washed away. In total, he lost almost 100 million won ($85,000).

Choi said, “During the last five years, I have invested my young life. But All I have now is 60 million won in debt.” His wife Son Hae-young (27) said, “It would be better off working odd jobs in the city.”

Many farmers damaged in the flood are preparing for leaving for cities. Those who wish to leave are not just limited to the young. It’s all across the generations.

Young people are thinking of leaving for cities since the flood turned everything they had into a bunch of trash. Thus, it is hard for them to get over the disaster and stand on their feet again.

For the elderly who have lived alone or with their spouses, there is no difference in terms of money since restoring their houses is almost the same as buying a new house in the cities or in downtown areas.

Nam Sang-kook (42, Soo Ri, Suh Myun, Yangyang County), who, once a trucker, settled down in the country two years ago, decided to wrap up his life as a farmer. He has invested all the money he and his wife had. He even put in the money his wife made as a waitress. But the flood wiped away 2,000 dogs and the cages, which he had raised.

Nam said, “I thought that from next year, I could make profits. But all turned nothing overnight. There is nothing I can do now here.”

Ma Ho-sang (65, Soosang Ri, Suh Myun, Yangyang County) is not repairing his house, which was flooded in the water, which busted the levy and rushed into his house. Now the house is left only with the beams and the roof. He plans to move into the Yangyang County downtown with his wife. All of his children have already settled in cities.

Ma complained, “We will not live much longer. What’s the point in restoring the house?”

Head of Soosang Ri Lee Chul-kyoo (61) said, “To build a new house, it costs about 30 to 40 million won. But when you buy a two-bedroom condo in downtown Yangyang, it costs about 45 million won. In Sokcho City, it’s about 40 million won. That’s why many people are leaving. Across the board, 5-6 household of 90 in our village have already decided to leave. Additional numbers of households are considering moving into the cities, too.”

One County official confirmed, “Even receiving the government aid, it would be hard to fully restore the situation where it was. That is why many people are deciding to leave. More and more people are leaving due to the hardship posed by the flood. It will accelerate emptiness of the countryside.”

buddy@donga.com