Sinkholes Now Classified as Social Disasters... Government to Respond at National Level

Amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on Disaster and Safety Management
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Designated as Lead Disaster Management Agency... Management System Reinforced
Local Government Heads Empowered to Recommend Dispersal in Large Crowd Risk Situations

From now on, large-scale human and property damage caused by sinkholes (ground subsidence) will be newly classified as a type of social disaster. This means the government will take responsibility for disaster management, enabling faster response and recovery.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that the amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on Disaster and Safety Management, which contains these changes, was approved at a Cabinet meeting on the 16th and will take effect starting October 2.

The large sinkhole that occurred last March at the intersection near Daemyeong Elementary School in Gangdong District, Seoul. Photo by Dongju Yoon

According to the Ministry, there have been ongoing calls to strengthen accident prevention systems as casualties and property damage from ground subsidence continue to occur on roads and at construction sites.

In response, the Enforcement Decree on Disaster and Safety Management was amended to designate large-scale damage from ground subsidence as a new type of social disaster, with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport serving as the lead disaster management agency. The management system has been reinforced, including stricter obligations for relevant agencies to inspect facilities under their jurisdiction and to conduct disaster management education and training. The amendment is expected to enable a faster response and recovery in the event of damage. However, if the cause of ground subsidence is clearly attributable to a specific underground facility, the central administrative agency responsible for that facility will serve as the lead disaster management agency. For example, if a sewer system is the cause, the Ministry of Environment will take charge; if a gas supply facility is at fault, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will be responsible.

The amendment also specifies the frequency and scope of fact-finding surveys that local government heads must conduct to prevent disasters and accidents caused by large crowds. These surveys will be conducted annually and will target: ▲ festivals, performances, or events with a peak crowd of 5,000 or more people; ▲ airports, terminals, or large retail stores with more than 10,000 daily users; and ▲ railway stations with over 50,000 daily users.

Additionally, local government heads may request cooperation from the heads of police stations for the deployment of officers to ensure pedestrian safety and maintain order. In urgent situations, they may also instruct event organizers to suspend events or recommend dispersal to the crowd.

Furthermore, the amendment specifies the "support implementation agencies" to which the heads of central and local disaster and safety countermeasure headquarters can request the dispatch of personnel to efficiently support disaster victims and their families. These agencies include Korea Electric Power Corporation, telecommunications and city gas operators, the National Health Insurance Service, the National Pension Service, and the Small Enterprise and Market Service, all of which provide essential services such as emergency restoration, relief, financial, and insurance support at disaster sites.

Kim Kwangyong, Director General of Disaster and Safety Management, stated, "This amendment focuses on strengthening the institutional foundation for systematically responding to ground subsidence and crowd accidents in line with the changing disaster environment. The government will continue to enhance disaster management capabilities that meet public expectations by reflecting the evolving patterns of disasters and the needs on the ground."