The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on July 29 that it held a meeting of experts regarding the recent earthquakes in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, which registered magnitudes of 7.1 and 6.1.
Led by the director of the Natural Disaster Response Bureau, the meeting included experts from the Korea Meteorological Administration, the National Disaster Safety Research Institute, the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, and Pusan National University.
Participants analyzed the causes of the earthquakes in Japan and their potential impact on South Korea, focusing on the country's preparedness for earthquakes and tsunamis, enhancing public awareness of safety protocols, and improving coordination among relevant agencies.
With 789 reports of tremors received domestically, indicating the influence of the neighboring country's earthquakes, attendees emphasized the need for ongoing monitoring and thorough preparedness.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of active fault investigations to enhance the effectiveness of national earthquake disaster management policies, as well as strengthening the seismic performance of critical infrastructure such as power and communication systems, and the necessity of regular evacuation drills.
In line with these efforts, the government is continuously promoting public safety measures, including awareness campaigns and inspections of evacuation sites.
The Ministry aims to achieve a 100% seismic reinforcement rate for public facilities by 2035, up from 82.7% in 2025, and is implementing various policies, including financial assistance and tax benefits, to ensure the seismic performance of private structures.
Additionally, the government has designated 11,366 outdoor evacuation sites and 680 emergency evacuation locations for tsunami preparedness. A nationwide inspection of evacuation sites was completed from April to June to ensure their proper management.
To enhance public awareness of earthquake and tsunami preparedness, the government is hosting the 'Earthquake Safety AI Video Contest' this year and providing outreach education and earthquake experience drills for vulnerable populations.
Kim Kwang-yong, head of the Disaster Safety Management Bureau, stated, "While there has been no direct damage from this earthquake in South Korea, we cannot afford to be complacent. The government will thoroughly review our preparedness and response measures for domestic earthquakes and tsunamis to ensure public safety."
Meanwhile, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture at 4:27 PM the previous day, resulting in 13 confirmed fatalities. This earthquake has drawn attention due to its similarities to the devastating earthquakes that struck the region a decade ago. In April 2016, Kumamoto experienced two major quakes of magnitudes 6.5 and 7.3 within two days, leading to the deaths of over 270 people due to building collapses and landslides.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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