Week 3: Earthquakes
South Korea is known for its stability, with a geological landscape that is not frequently shaken by seismic activity. In recent years, the country has encountered a few notable earthquakes, one of which occurred in 2016, registering a magnitude of 5.4, and was followed by another in 2017, which reached a magnitude of 5.5. Despite these isolated incidents, South Korea remains largely unaffected by the type of devastating earthquakes that can plague other parts of the world.
South Korea’s earthquake catastrophe prevention:
In January, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced a plan to complete the seismic reinforcement of all public facilities by 2030. This initiative, titled the "Comprehensive Plan on Earthquake Disaster Prevention," addresses public concerns regarding the nation's earthquake preparedness, especially following the recent powerful and tragic earthquakes in western Japan, according to the Seoul city government.
Photo: Illustrations showing what to do in case of an earthquake. (The Seoul Metropolitan Government)Key public facilities in Seoul, including roads, water supply infrastructure, sewage treatment plants, and hospitals, have been strengthened to 100 percent readiness, according to the city. Over the next seven years, the focus will shift to reinforcing railways, city government buildings, and recreational facilities. The budget for this year is 20.2 billion won (approximately $15.35 million).
The city also plans to offer incentives to private building owners, such as relaxing floor area ratios and building-to-land ratios for buildings that have been seismically reinforced. Additionally, a total of 1,558 outdoor evacuation sites will be inspected and maintained this year to prepare for potential earthquakes. These sites include school playgrounds, parks, and parking lots. Each of the 25 districts of the capital designates and manages these sites, ensuring they are safe areas where people can temporarily evacuate to avoid falling objects during an earthquake.
Hi Mallory,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your blog! You presented South Korea’s earthquake preparedness in such a clear and engaging way. I love how you balanced facts with real-world impact, especially highlighting both government efforts and private sector incentives. It’s great to see such proactive steps being taken. Looking forward to reading more of your posts!