Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday declared the eastern town of Gangneung hit by a drought as a state of national disaster, the presidential office said. "(Lee) instructed relevant ministries to immediately declare a state of disaster," presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing.

According to Yonhap News Agency, earlier in the day, Lee presided over a drought response meeting in Gangneung located in Gangwon Province, where residents are currently facing water supply restrictions due to the severe drought. On Friday, Gangwon Province formally requested the central government declare it as a disaster, citing the deteriorating conditions.