President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday designated five areas in the central and southern regions as special disaster zones following recent deadly downpours, his office said. The five -- Yeongdong in North Chungcheong Province, Nonsan and Seocheon in South Chungcheong Province, Wanju in North Jeolla Province and a part of Yeongyang in North Gyeongsang Province -- were given the designations following a damage survey, according to presidential spokesperson Kim Soo-kyung. "My heart is heavy over the unfortunate damage caused by the record downpours," Yoon was quoted as saying. "Promptly carry out emergency recovery work and damage surveys in the affected areas, as there is concern about additional damage with the monsoon front moving north again this week." Yoon also called for maintaining full readiness in other regions. Record downpours drenched the country last week, leaving six people dead and two missing, according to the government. Thousands of others were forced to evacuate, especially in the southern r egions. The designation of a special disaster zone makes the area eligible for the government's financial support for recovery work, relief funds for victims and other benefits. The government plans to consider adding more special disaster zones after completing a joint damage survey of other affected areas by the end of this month. Yoon issued a similar message during a weekly meeting with his senior secretaries earlier in the day, saying every effort should be made to prepare against possible rain damage, including through inspections of embankments and drainage facilities. Source: Yonhap News Agency