South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung told public officials on Tuesday to "spare no effort" in the search for missing people and on damage recovery after days of torrential rains left a trail of destruction in various parts of the country.

Torrential rains in South Korea over five days have caused 17 deaths and left 11 people missing, officials report.

At least 19 people are dead, 9 smissing after torrential rain, flooding and landslides ravaged South Korea forcing thousands to be evacuated as its president declared a special disaster.