REYES, JHAN RIEL R.

GRADE 1-ST. AGNES

South Korea moves to address growing concerns over earthquake

The Korea Herald/Asia News Network / 08:35 PM January 01, 2018
South Korea has started to roll out measures to address the increasing public concern
over the risk of earthquakes, after the nation was hit by two of the strongest
earthquakes over the past two years.
Korea has long been regarded as an earthquake-free country but the latest record-high
quakes in Pohang and Gyeongju have triggered concerns over future quakes on the
peninsula, with experts here forecasting possibilities of stronger quakes hitting in the
future.
Primary concerns are over the low rate of seismic safety features for buildings here,
citing the wide range of damages suffered by the quake-hit cities located in the
southeastern part of the nation.
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the quake in Pohang in
November damaged 5,569 private establishments and 582 public facilities, including
233 schools.
More critically, the public have become more wary of the safety level of nuclear
power plants clustered in the areas above geological fault lines, adding to the heated
debates over the Moon Jae-in administration‘s nuclear-free pledge.
Of the nation’s 24 nuclear reactors, 18 are located along the southeastern coast, area
that is more exposed to seismic activities.
According to pollster Realmeter‘s survey that asked 1,015 individuals above the age
of 19, four out of 10 feared fallouts from nuclear reactor failure more than other
damages brought on by the quake.
The Public Safety Ministry is also currently under the process of examining the fault
lines in the quake-damaged area to reassess safety standards.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power have also stated that the Shin Kori units 5 and 6 being
constructed in the southeastern city of Ulsan to be safe against a magnitude 7.4 quake.
The government had accepted a civilian panel‘s recommendation to restart
construction in October after a three-month suspension following the government’s
initial decision.
Meanwhile, the government has also set to strengthen quake resistance of public
establishments.

Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/956728/south-korea-moves-to-address-growing-
concerns-over-earthquake#ixzz53UjK8bSv

REAKSYON:

Bilang isang bata, ako ay nagkaroon ng kapanatagan ng loob bagaman hindi

man ito ang aking bansang nakalikhan, na ang kanilang gobyerno ay gumagawa ng
mga hakbang para sa pagpapanatili ng kaligtasan ng kanilang lugar. Ito ay
magsisilbing inspirasyon para sa ibang namumuno at maipatupad din sa kani-kanilang
nasasakupan. Ang pagkakaroon ng sakuna sa isang lugar ay lubos na nakakaapekto sa
buhay ng mga tao kung kaya’t ako ay sobrang nagalak na may mga hakbang na
ginagawa ang mga may kapangyarahin upang maiwasan ang mga ito.