Post #3: South Korea and Seismicity

The Korean Peninsula is on the Eurasian Plate.  It is not located on a fault boundary; consequently, it is seismically relatively calm.  Its neighboring countries (China and Japan), however, are seismically active.  Although it is surrounded by these high-earthquake countries, historical data and instrumental records have determined that the Peninsula has not experienced a catastrophic earthquake in the last 2000 years. (1)  Since 1905, when instrumental observations of earthquakes began in Korea, there have been about 1,000 events in or near Korea, but they have measured less than M 4.0. (2)

Because of this lack of consequential seismic activity, South Korea has been lulled into a possible false sense of security.  While many other countries have taken precautionary measures to protect life and property in the event of an earthquake, South Korea is not adequately prepared for a disaster. (3)  It wasn't until 1988 that S. Korea required buildings of six or more stories to be constructed according to earthquake safety regulations, as outlined in the Building Act Enforcement Decree.  Older buildings, however, have not been retrofitted.  In fact, according to the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in 2013, only 30% of buildings had been built to earthquake safety standards.  In addition, Koreans have not been given procedures to follow in case of an earthquake.  There are fire drills, but no earthquake drills. (3)

This lack of preparedness could have disastrous effects.  Korea's National Emergency Management Agency estimates that more than 7,500 people would be killed if a massive earthquake (M 6.5) struck Seoul, and 100,000 would be injured. (3) Since earthquakes are occurring more frequently (see graph below), and since there are several nuclear power plants in S. Korea (see map below), it would be wise to change policy.

1. Journal of Seismology; "The low seismic activity of the Korean Peninsula surrounded by high earthquake countries;" S. G. Kim, E. Lkhasuren, Pilho Park; December, 2003 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226243188_The_low_seismic_activity_of_the_Korean_Peninsula_surrounded_by_high_earthquake_countries

2. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America; "Historical seismicity of Korea;" Kiehwa Lee, Woo-Sun Yang, 2006   http://www.bssaonline.org/content/96/3/846.short

3. "Disaster Management in S. Korea;" So Eun Park; May 5, 2015  http://aboutiigr.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Disaster-Management-in-Korea-by-So-Eun-Park-May-5-2015.pdf