The pattern of earthquakes on the Korean Peninsula is significantly different compared to the past. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration's annual report, the number of earthquakes with a magnitude of 2.0 or greater is significantly higher than the average and their frequency is increasing. In particular, after the 2016 Gyeongju earthquake and the 2017 Pohang earthquake, the stress imbalance within the Korean Peninsula worsened, which became a factor in aggravating the instability of the crust. Experts analyze that in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, the ground on the Korean Peninsula expanded by about 3 cm toward Japan, making the crust more vulnerable. It is not a time to simply be confined to the frame of 'a country with few earthquakes' as in the past, but a time to reorganize the response system under the assumption that a strong earthquake of magnitude 6.5 to 7.0 may occur at any time.

The recent magnitude 4.8 earthquake in Buan, Jeollabuk-do was a decisive event that once again reminded us of the risk of earthquakes in inland areas. Until now, it was thought that the threat of earthquakes was mainly concentrated in the southeastern region, but this incident proved that anywhere on the Korean Peninsula is not a safe zone from earthquakes. Immediately after the earthquake, substantial damage occurred, including school walls collapsing, cultural assets being damaged, and apartment buildings being twisted and doors unable to open. This is an example that shows how the earthquake-resistant design of our buildings is insufficient to ensure safety in real life. Currently, the government has set a goal to increase the earthquake resistance rate of public facilities to 100% by 2035, but real risks occur not only in public facilities but also in private buildings, so measures are urgently needed.

The key to scientific response to earthquakes is securing fault information and upgrading early warning systems. Currently, fault investigation on the Korean Peninsula is only in its early stages, which limits the ability to clearly understand the geological structure deep underground. Until the step-by-step fault survey project planned for 2036 is completed, we will have to face earthquakes with incomplete information. Nevertheless, the government is accelerating the development of technology to shorten the time to issue a warning and minimize damage by expanding the observation network. In addition, we are closely monitoring the nuclear power plant situation in Japan, a neighboring country, and are taking multifaceted diplomatic and technical measures, such as dispatching experts, to prevent secondary damage (radiation leaks, etc.) caused by earthquakes.

Earthquake response cannot be completed simply through government policies. In addition to providing incentives to encourage earthquake-resistant reinforcement of private buildings, we must also increase social disaster prevention capabilities by making citizens themselves aware of what to do in the event of an earthquake. As there is a possibility that the frequent earthquakes that occur in North Korea are related to ground weakening caused by past nuclear tests, a system that comprehensively manages geological risks across the Korean Peninsula is also needed. Earthquakes are all the more frightening because they are unpredictable, but damage can be sufficiently controlled if thorough preliminary investigation, reinforcement construction, and a systematic response manual are supported. The current vibration may be the last warning to us.