Seismic Reinforcement Rates of Public Facilities in Rural and Fishing Villages Lag Far Behind Those in Large Cities

Rep. Lee Hyung-seok: "South Korea Is Not an Earthquake Safe Zone... Must Increase Seismic Resistance Rate Through Focused Investment"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The seismic resistance rate of public facilities in rural and fishing villages was found to be significantly lower than that in metropolitan areas.

Although the seismic resistance rate of schools is gradually improving, it was still found to be at the lowest level among public facilities nationwide.

According to the 'Status of Seismic Resistance Rates of Public Facilities' submitted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to Rep. Lee Hyung-seok (Democratic Party of Korea, Gwangju Buk-gu Eul) on the 30th, the seismic resistance rate of public facilities in 17 metropolitan local governments was 61.8%, which is 10.9 percentage points lower than the 72.7% of central administrative agencies.

Looking at the seismic resistance rates of public facilities by the 17 metropolitan local governments, Sejong Special Self-Governing City had the highest rate at 94.1%. This was followed by Ulsan (89.6%), Seoul (75.9%), Daegu (74.7%), Gwangju (73.1%), Incheon (72.5%), and Busan (71.8%), with the seismic resistance rates of public facilities in metropolitan areas exceeding the average (70.2%).

On the other hand, Gangwon Province had the lowest seismic resistance rate of public facilities nationwide at 36.1%, followed by Jeonnam (43.1%), Gyeongbuk (49.8%), Chungnam (52.8%), Chungbuk (54.1%), Gyeongnam (55.9%), and Jeonbuk (56.2%). These regions, which have many county-level rural and fishing village basic local governments, had seismic resistance rates below the average.

The low seismic resistance rate of public facilities in rural and fishing village areas is analyzed to be due to the relatively large number of old buildings constructed before the mandatory seismic design was enforced.

Meanwhile, as of the end of last year, out of 193,075 public facilities nationwide subject to seismic design, 135,623 facilities secured seismic performance, resulting in a seismic resistance rate of 70.2%.

The average seismic resistance rate of public facilities over the past three years has been increasing annually: 62.3% in 2018, 67.2% in 2019, and 70.2% in 2020.

The seismic resistance rate of school facilities has also been improving annually, from 36.7% in 2018 to 49.0% in 2019 and 55.8% in 2020, but it still falls significantly below the overall average.

Rep. Lee Hyung-seok said, “Public facilities and school facilities in rural and fishing village areas were built during a period when seismic design standards were not strict, resulting in relatively low seismic resistance rates. However, since the Korean Peninsula is not a seismic safe zone, there is an urgent need to improve the seismic resistance rates of buildings and school facilities in rural and fishing village areas through concentrated investment.”