Although massive earthquakes may not affect the Korean Peninsula, the frequency of events in the country has increased, prompting worries that the peninsula may be exposed to a big event in the future.
The government's meteorological agency, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), is in charge of providing information on earthquakes and tsunamis. KMA monitors seismic and tidal occurrences, gathers relevant statistics from its network of countrywide observation stations in real-time, and uses its sophisticated data processing tools to analyze the information. These operations are managed by the KMA's National Meteorological Center's Earthquake Division. You can look on their website for more information and alerts.
The National Geographic website offers the following advice on what to do in an emergency if there is an earthquake:
Drop to the ground, hide under a table or desk, and hang on.
Keep inside until you're certain it's safe to go and the shaking stops.
Avoid being near bookcases or other furniture that might collapse on you.
Avoid looking out windows. Expect fire alarms and sprinklers to sound during an earthquake in a high-rise building.
Hold on and remain in bed while covering your head with a pillow, if that's where you are.
Find a space that is free from obstructions like trees, power wires, and buildings if you are outside. Get down on the ground.
If you're driving, reduce your speed and head for an open area. Until the shaking stops, continue to drive.
However, if you live abroad these are some things you should take into consideration:
For access to emergency services and alerts in case of a disaster, register with the embassy of your home country.
Keep up with local news and keep an eye out for any alerts or warnings.
Save the phone number and website of the embassy of your country to your phone.
Download the "Emergency Ready" app from the ROK Ministry of Public Safety and Security for tablets and smartphones. Users of the app can instantly dial 119 for emergencies and find the closest emergency shelters. The app is free.
Be ready by being aware of the locations of nearby emergency shelters as well as any important phone numbers or websites.
If there is a chance of a tsunami near the coast, stay away of the shores.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government website is also giving instructions on what to do in case of an Earthquake:
In the event of an earthquake, avoid keeping anything that could damage anyone inside the house.
Keep in mind the areas of the house that are the safest, like under a table or in between structural walls.
Fix furniture, gas and electric heaters, and other items firmly.
Examine the terrain surrounding the house for deterioration.
Recall what you and your family should do in the event of an earthquake.
Keep in mind the areas you should hide if an earthquake occurs.
Understand how to use emergency medication and be prepared with emergency meals. Give each member of your family a job to do in case of an earthquake.
In case of a fire, make sure the extinguisher is ready to use.
Learn how to administer first aid in an emergency.
1. First, if you are inside
Put a sturdy table above you and cover your head with a pillow or cushion.
If there is a fire, put it out while remaining calm.
Stay calm and leave the house, in case you need to.
Keep the doors open so you have a way out.
2. In case you might be outside
To protect yourself, hold something over your head, such as a bag or your hands.
Stay away from pillars and poles.
3. If you find yourself in a mall
Get to a secure location and obey the directions.
Stay down low if there is a fire to avoid breathing in smoke.
Avoid using elevators to evacuate during an earthquake or a fire; instead, use the stairs.
If you are in an elevator, immediately get out and evacuate.
4. If you are riding a subway
To prevent falling, hold a pole or hand strap firmly in place.
Remain cool and carefully exit the train when the doors are opened after it stops.
Maintain your composure and obey the metro crew's directions.
Even if the electricity is out, the emergency lights will turn on.
5. If you're driving a car
Due to the difficulty in controlling a vehicle during earthquakes, pull up close to the sideway. Never stop at an intersection.
To avoid getting in the way of emergency vehicles, move out of the middle of the road.
Set your radio to "radio" and listen to the police's instructions.
Close all windows if you must drive away from an earthquake-affected location. This will stop flames from entering the car. Lock the doors if you can, but if you are in a hurry leave them unlocked.
6. If you're near the coast or on a mountain
A landslide may occur near a mountain or a steep slope, therefore stay away from those areas.
Avoid going near the water since a tsunami could happen.
Pay attention to the local broadcast and obey the directions.
Once the earthquake has stopped:
Watch out for aftershocks because they could seriously damage any buildings that were already compromised by the earthquake.
Keep a flashlight handy. Before you turn on the gas, make sure there are no leaks because they could cause an explosion.
To protect your feet against shards of glass, put on some strong shoes.
If you are unsure about the safety of your home, have a professional inspect it before you enter.
Sort out any medications and chemicals that have been spilled or dispersed on the ground, but if you are unsure of how to dispose of them, leave them alone.
Examine the condition of any damaged electrical wires, gas pipes, water pipes, or home appliances.
Open the windows if you detect a gas leak and leave the building immediately. If you can, close the main valve.
Turn off the valve and notify the utility technician if there is a gas leak. Use it only after receiving a complete inspection from a professional.
If there is a possibility of an electrical issue, do not activate the circuit breaker.
Before flushing your toilet, make sure the sewage pipe is in working order.
Open the closet door cautiously since items inside can fall out.
Except in cases of life or death, avoid using your phones, whether landlines or mobile.
Pay close attention to news about emergencies.
Prior to the assistance of rescue personnel, refrain from approaching an impacted region.
This service offers first assistance as well as emergency shelters for disaster-related safe evacuation.
Online searches can be used to find shelters across the nation.
You may look up the location of any Emergency Medical Center in the whole country.
3. You may search for location information for Fire Stations and Emergency Medical Centers across the country.
You can check for location information at police stations all throughout the country.
5. Safety ManualFirst Aid (burn injuries from fires), CPR for children and adults, a fire extinguisher, and an indoor fire hydrant
6. Dial 119 for Emergency (Direct Call)
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety of the Public of Korea is the provider of this app.
This program, known as EmergencyReadyAPP in English, is a smartphone app that the Ministry of Public Safety and Security established to give residents and visitors of the Republic of Korea the ability to stay informed about various natural disasters and their current conditions.
Smartphone apps have been able to translate emergency text notifications into Chinese and English since early 2018, but few people are aware of this feature.
In addition to shelter sites and emergency contact information, the "Emergency Ready" app offers emergency consultation in Chinese, Korean, and English.
On Apple and Android smartphones, you may get this software for free.
Please make sure you check everything before a disaster may happen, you never know! Stay safe out there!
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