Pohang Completes 'Heunghae-eup Multipurpose Disaster Relief Center'... Establishing Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Infrastructure

Regularly Used as ‘Sports and Cultural Activity Facilities’ → Used as ‘Disaster Evacuation Facilities’ in Emergencies

Pohang City Hall.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] On the 5th, Pohang City, Gyeongbuk, held a completion ceremony for the Heunghae-eup Multipurpose Disaster Relief Center to establish a safe and seamless disaster prevention infrastructure.

The event was held in compliance with strengthened quarantine rules, with about 50 attendees including Mayor Kangdeok Lee of Pohang, Baek Gang-hoon, Special Committee Chair for Earthquake Damage Countermeasures, city and provincial council members, self-governing organizations, and residents.

Mayor Kangdeok Lee of Pohang said, “With the construction of the Heunghae-eup Multipurpose Disaster Relief Center, we expect to reduce citizens' anxiety about various disasters, contribute to the welfare of residents, and promote balanced regional development. We will continue to strive to expand disaster prevention infrastructure for citizen safety so that Pohang can remain a model advanced city that successfully overcomes disasters.”

The construction of the Heunghae-eup Multipurpose Disaster Relief Center was promoted as part of the disaster prevention infrastructure expansion project to alleviate citizens' anxiety about disasters following the Pohang earthquake and to revitalize the local economy, which had been stagnant under difficult conditions.

This project was approved as part of the 11.15 Pohang Heunghae Earthquake Damage Area Special Regeneration Plan. The site area of the destroyed housing (formerly Gyeongrim New Hope Town) is 3,790㎡, with a total project cost of 5 billion KRW including 2.55 billion KRW from national and provincial funds. Construction began in January last year, and the building, with a total floor area of 1,752㎡ and two above-ground floors, was completed in December. After about two months of temporary commissioning including fire, electrical, and communication systems, the completion ceremony was held on this day.

The multipurpose disaster relief center enhances the quality of life for local residents through sports and cultural activities during normal times. In case of disaster, it is a facility with seismic-grade performance that allows nearby residents to evacuate quickly and live safely until recovery. It is safe from disasters such as earthquakes and is equipped with solar power and self-generation facilities, capable of accommodating about 300 people simultaneously.

The building is a complex space equipped with an indoor relief center (multipurpose gymnasium), dining hall, psychological treatment room, storage for supplies, and convenience facilities (showers, changing rooms, lounges, restrooms). In particular, the multipurpose gymnasium has five badminton courts installed, and the multipurpose room is equipped with massage chairs and stationary bicycles to promote citizens' health. After about three months of temporary operation, the facility will be supplemented and entrusted to specialized institutions for operation.

Pohang City will continue to strive for additional construction beyond the already established multipurpose disaster relief centers in Heunghae-eup and Jangryang-dong to overcome earthquake damage, prepare for disasters, and expand disaster prevention infrastructure early.