[Inside Chodong] In the Era of Climate Disasters, Cities Must Redefine Their Role

Weather Changes That Reshape Everyday Life
National Infrastructure Must Adapt to Natural Disasters

Naju Seok, Deputy Chief of Political Affairs

Although the midday sun remains intense, the refreshing air on my morning commute after a long time makes me realize that the long summer is finally coming to an end. Now, we have no choice but to admit that we are living in a world fundamentally different from the past, viewed through the lens of climate change. This means that each year, we must adapt to seasons we have never experienced before.

This summer, we were left helpless by extreme weather conditions that can only be described as "unprecedented" and "record-breaking." Our cities, built during rapid industrialization, revealed their limitations in the face of torrential downpours exceeding 100mm per hour-an event said to occur once in a century or two. After several consecutive days of tropical nights, air conditioners have become essential for survival. The time has come when we can no longer live as we once did.

Within and outside the National Assembly, there have been calls to establish "climate-adaptive infrastructure," particularly in areas affected by heavy rainfall. Many point out that the existing sewage systems cannot withstand these monster rainstorms. For large cities, some argue that deep rainwater tunnels should be constructed to prepare for flooding, or that the water retention capacity of parks and green spaces should be greatly enhanced to transform cities into "sponge cities." Conversely, in places like Gangneung, which are suffering from severe drought, underground dams are being promoted to serve as reservoirs, storing groundwater that would otherwise flow into the sea. What is clear is that cities must now redefine their roles in the face of threats from both torrential rain and drought. This summer, which has been the hottest since nationwide weather monitoring began in 1973, has also highlighted the dangers of heat waves. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's emergency room monitoring system for heat-related illnesses, as of August 30, a total of 4,278 heat-related patients have been recorded this year.

Cities were originally created to protect citizens from natural disasters and external attacks. As humanity overcame nature, the values pursued by cities seemed to change, but the situation has shifted. Once again, cities must return to their original purpose, strengthening their ability to cope with external threats such as natural disasters. Instead of city walls or moats, we now need to enhance our capacity to respond to torrential rain, drought, storms, heavy snow, and super typhoons.

Rural and fishing villages, which have long been neglected due to their low population density, must also overhaul their disaster prevention measures. This year, 13.4% of heat-related patients were reported in rice fields and greenhouses. Considering that the agricultural population accounts for less than 3.9% of the total population, it is clear how vulnerable farmers are to danger under the scorching sun. Moreover, as seen in the large-scale wildfires that swept through the Yeongnam region this spring, rural areas are also left helpless in the face of disasters. This underscores the need for national infrastructure to adapt to the threat of natural disasters.

Not only our living spaces but also our way of life must change. In the past, we respected the value of hard work under the heat, and enduring the summer to farm was considered a virtue. Now, we must acknowledge that the world has changed. We cannot simply assume we will be able to do as we have always done.

Although the heat will continue for a while, autumn will soon arrive like an unexpected gift. In the coming season, we must thoroughly revise our living spaces, lifestyles, and ways of working to prepare for unpredictable crises. There is little time left before the deadline for this assignment.