Pohang and Hwaseong lead earthquake preparedness efforts

Facing growing concerns about natural disasters, two cities in South Korea – Pohang and Hwaseong – are stepping up efforts to boost their citizens’ preparedness for earthquakes and related emergencies. Through a combination of public education campaigns and large-scale disaster response training, these municipalities are working to ensure that their communities are prepared to respond quickly and effectively in the event of a disaster.

On 26 May 2026, Pohang City took a proactive approach by producing and distributing a total of 1,200 posters and 600 booklets focusing on earthquake preparedness and response guidelines. According to city officials, these materials have been shared with every administration, district office and administrative welfare center in the township and wards, as well as public organizations such as the Pohang Facilities Management Company and the Pohang Cultural Foundation. the goal? Ensure that vital information about earthquake safety reaches as many citizens as possible, from students in schools to workers in public institutions.

The materials distributed provide detailed, situation-specific instructions on what to do in the event of an earthquake. For example, if someone is inside a building when the ground starts shaking, the advice is clear: take cover under a desk, wait until the tremors subside, then cut off the electricity and gas supplies before securing an exit and evacuating, always using the stairs, never the lift. Once outside, the guidelines change: protect your head with a bag or your hands, maintain a safe distance from buildings, and move to an open space such as a playground or park. Most importantly, all individuals are urged to follow instructions from disaster broadcasts, which can provide real-time updates and additional guidance during emergency situations.

But earthquakes in coastal cities like Pohang pose an additional threat: tsunamis. New materials in town don’t shy away from this risk. They advise that if a tsunami occurs following an earthquake, people should evacuate coastal areas immediately and seek higher ground – such as hills, mountains or the roofs of buildings three or more stories high.

For those looking for more information or digital resources, Pohang has made earthquake preparedness and safety information available on its official website, as well as through the Ministry of Interior and Safety’s earthquake safety portal. This ensures that even in the digital age, citizens have easy access to important knowledge that can potentially save their lives.

A Pohang city official summed up the city’s commitment by saying: “Since earthquakes occur without warning, it is important to be aware of response guidelines in advance. We will continue continuous promotion and education so that citizens can respond calmly in crisis situations.” The emphasis here is on calm and informed action – a message that resonates strongly in a region that has seen major seismic events in recent years.

Meanwhile, Hwaseong Special City approaches the issue of disaster preparedness from a different, but equally important, angle. On May 21, 2026, the city organized the Safe Korea Disaster Response Exercise 2026, a comprehensive exercise designed to prepare for earthquakes and complex disaster scenarios. This annual nationwide exercise is a cornerstone of South Korea’s disaster management strategy, bringing together government agencies, emergency services and private organizations to test and improve their response capabilities.

This year’s exercises in Hwaseong were notable for their scale and complexity. It was unveiled simultaneously at two sites: the city’s disaster safety situation room and the Hyundai Motor Namyang Research Center. By coupling the tabletop discussion exercise with live, real-time field training, the city was able to test the effectiveness of its command and control systems under realistic, high-stress conditions.

The focus was on the full scope of disaster response: rapid dissemination of information, activation of first response systems, evacuation of residents from danger areas, control of the incident scene, rescue of people, provision of emergency medical support, and urgent repairs to damaged facilities. According to city officials, nearly 190 personnel and more than 28 pieces of disaster prevention and relief equipment have been mobilized. Participants included Hwaseong Fire Station, Hwaseong Dongtan Police Station, West Hwaseong Police Station, various related organizations, private groups, and local companies.

These collaborative exercises are not just for show. The city pledged to incorporate lessons learned and improvements identified from the drills into its disaster response manuals. This commitment to continuous improvement is key to ensuring that the city’s disaster response system remains robust and adaptable to new challenges as they arise.

Yoon Seong-jin, acting mayor of Hwaseong, highlighted the broader significance of the exercise, saying, “Through this exercise that simulates an actual disaster, we were able to strengthen the organic cooperation system among relevant agencies and closely examine our disaster response capabilities. From now on, we will make every effort to further develop our disaster response system so that we can fully protect the lives and property of our citizens.”

Pohang and Hwaseong’s dual approach – public education and practical training – reflects a growing awareness across South Korea that disaster preparedness is a shared responsibility. While local governments are in charge, active participation by citizens, businesses and community organizations is essential. Recent initiatives in both cities underscore the importance of clear communication, practical training and continuous adaptation in the face of emerging risks.

For Pohang, the focus on accessible and actionable information aims to enable every resident to act quickly and correctly when the ground begins to shake. Hwasong believes that the focus on inter-agency cooperation and realistic training ensures that the behind-the-scenes emergency response mechanism is well operational and ready to go into action.

These efforts do not come out of nowhere. South Korea’s history with earthquakes — most notably the 2016 Jeonju earthquake and the 2017 Pohang earthquake — have left a lasting mark on public consciousness. Lessons learned from these events have catalyzed a national movement toward better preparedness, more resilient infrastructure, and a safety culture that prioritizes prevention and response.

As natural disasters become more frequent and unpredictable around the world, the measures taken by Pohang and Hwaseong offer a glimpse into how local governments can act proactively to protect their communities. By combining education, training, and a commitment to continuous improvement, these cities are setting a standard for disaster preparedness that others may look to emulate.

Ultimately, the message from both cities is clear: preparedness saves lives, and everyone – officials and citizens alike – has a role to play in building a safer and more resilient future.

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