South Korea's Broadcast Media Communications Commission will support residents in parts of Gyeongsang Province designated as special disaster zones after this summer's heavy rain, including a waiver of TV licence fees and discounts on pay-TV charges.

The commission said on Sept. 2 it decided at its 32nd plenary meeting to waive TV licence fees for two months for residents affected in some areas of Andong and Uiseong in North Gyeongsang Province, which were designated special disaster zones after heavy rain in July.

The eligible areas are Iljik-myeon, Namseon-myeon and Imha-myeon in Andong, and Danchon-myeon in Uiseong. The commission and KBS have provided licence fee waivers to residents in disaster areas 22 times since 2000.

For Geoje and Sanyang-eup and Bongpyeong-dong in Tongyeong, both in South Gyeongsang Province, where damage occurred in August, it plans to decide on licence fee waiver support once damage tallies are completed.

The commission also decided to cut pay-TV charges for flood victims after consultations with pay-TV operators.

KT, SK Broadband, LG Uplus, KT SkyLife and LG HelloVision are participating. They will discount by 50 percent for one month the monthly fees for pay-TV services used by affected residents.

Eligible areas for the pay-TV fee discount are seven locations designated as special disaster zones in July and August: Iljik-myeon, Namseon-myeon and Imha-myeon in Andong, Danchon-myeon in Uiseong, Geoje, and Sanyang-eup and Bongpyeong-dong in Tongyeong.

Commission Chairman Jong-cheol Kim (김종철) said he hopes the measures will provide a small comfort and financial help to residents struggling due to sudden disaster damage. He said the commission will continue to push support for rapid recovery and a return to normal life for disaster victims.