Do you remember the earthquake in Gyeongju on September 12 of 2016? The Gyeongju earthquake, which had a magnitude of 5.8, reminded people that Korea was no longer safe from earthquakes. It was a turning point for Korea, which reorganized its emergency texting system and turned it into a world-class warning system. With the Pohang earthquake that occurred the following year, public interest soared.

Now, seven years later, what is the level of public awareness of earthquakes? Unfortunately, there is little attention now. The lack of recent earthquakes has caused a general sense of complacency. However, this is a mistake. Just last month, a 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck in Gangwon Province. Jeju Island also experienced a 4.9 magnitude earthquake in December 2021. Earthquakes are not far from us. Earthquakes are constantly a threat. Before they inflict additional harm, we must be prepared for earthquakes.

So, how is Korea preparing for earthquakes? The government is putting a plan into action to raise the public buildings' existing earthquake resistance rate of 70% to 100% by 2035. It has also implemented a seismic retrofit certification system for private facilities and provided tax breaks. However, efforts at the private level are also important. Make sure you know the nearest evacuation centers and familiarize yourself with earthquake evacuation tips. Identifying a safe place in your home and stocking up on emergency supplies will help you respond more effectively in the event of an earthquake.