October 23 at the National Assembly:
"Scars Remain Even After Eight Years"
Discussions on Responsibility and Prevention Measures
Over 100 Citizens and Experts Attend
United Voices for Earthquake Relief and Policy Reform
Pohang City and Aju News Corporation held the 'Pohang, Asking Again: Responsibility for the Earthquake and Measures to Prevent Recurrence' policy forum at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul on October 23.
Victims and experts gathered in one place to focus on government responsibility and measures to prevent recurrence, establishing a starting point for substantive policy improvements.
‘Pohang, Asking Again: Responsibility for the Earthquake and Measures to Prevent Recurrence’ Policy Forum. (From left: Gong Daeho, Lawyer at Kyungguk Law Firm; Kim Bujo, Lawyer at Haeyul Law Firm; Kim Kwanghee, Professor of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Pusan National University; Gong Bonghak, Representative of the Pohang Earthquake Joint Litigation Group; Kang Changho, Chairman of the Pohang 11.15 Triggered Earthquake Citizens’ Countermeasures Committee; Kim Jeongjae, Member of the National Assembly; Lim Gyu-jin, President of Aju Business Daily; Lim Miae, Member of the National Assembly; Lee Gangdeok, Mayor of Pohang; Shin Eunju, Professor at Handong Global University; Kim Eunju, Member of the Pohang City Council; Ha Dongho, President of the Korean Society of Earthquake Engineering) Provided by Pohang City
This forum, organized to increase public attention on the Pohang-triggered earthquake and to stimulate policy discussions, was attended by lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties, including Kim Jeongjae of the People Power Party and Lim Mia of the Democratic Party, as well as over 100 experts in relevant fields and Pohang citizens, adding significance to the event.
The first presenter, Kim Kwanghee, Professor at Pusan National University, gave a scientific explanation of the causes and process of the Pohang-triggered earthquake under the theme 'The Magnitude 5.4 Pohang Earthquake on November 15, 2017.'
Next, Gong Bonghak, lawyer and representative of the Pohang Earthquake Joint Litigation Group, emphasized the importance of the upcoming Supreme Court ruling under the topic 'Key Issues in the Pohang Earthquake Compensation Lawsuit.'
The final session was a comprehensive discussion moderated by Shin Eunju, Professor of Law at Handong Global University, with panelists including Kim Eunju, member of Pohang City Council; Gong Daeho, lawyer; Kim Bujo, lawyer; and Ha Dongho, President of the Korean Society of Earthquake Engineering.
The discussion delved into legal issues and prospects related to the Pohang-triggered earthquake, as well as measures to strengthen response and prevention systems for earthquake disasters.
Pohang citizens in attendance expressed that the main shock of magnitude 5.4, triggered by the state-led geothermal power project, and the magnitude 4.6 aftershock the following year, left indelible scars. They stated that while some property damage was compensated through the 'Pohang Earthquake Damage Relief Act,' the psychological trauma remains unhealed even after eight years.
In the first trial of the Pohang-triggered earthquake psychological damages lawsuit in 2023, the court partially ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, ordering compensation for citizens' psychological damages. However, in the appeal trial in May 2025, the court acknowledged that the geothermal project influenced the earthquake but did not recognize negligence by the relevant institutions, dismissing the claim for damages.
The case is currently at the Supreme Court appeal stage, with scientific and legal debates continuing over the cause and responsibility for the earthquake.
Mayor Lee Gangdeok stated, "Through this forum, I hope the scientific and legal facts surrounding the Pohang-triggered earthquake will be clarified, and that this will serve as an opportunity to re-examine the responsibility and safety standards of high-risk projects promoted by the state." He emphasized, "The government and political circles must prepare practical solutions that go beyond legal judgments to ensure that the suffering experienced by Pohang citizens is never repeated."
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