Disasters can happen to anybody: The case of Korea

Abstract

In Korea, there is a pervasive feeling of invincibility to the point that people and organizations do not believe that disasters can strike them. This has impact on the level of preparedness for disasters. This study aims to delve into how Korea has to change its governmental policies/practices with some private partners' efforts to mitigate disaster risks. A case study was utilized as the major methodology by comparing exclusive management with inclusive management. These two approaches have been comparatively analyzed via four variables, namely the central government, the local governments, the incident commander, and other stakeholders. The major finding is that Korea's practices and policies have to evolve from the current exclusive management into future-oriented inclusive management. Moreover, the importance of communication, cooperation, collaboration, and multidiscipline coordination is discussed. Additionally, the problem of reductionism and equal participation among all stakeholders, as well as the resistance from vested interests, are recognized and elaborated for Korea and the international community.

The contested politics of the Asian atom: peripheralisation and nuclear power in South Korea and Japan

“…Although based on the principle of decentralisation of power, it can also be interpreted as dependence on central government, especially as Gyeongju failed to win two other national projects it applied for. Such pressures may have manipulated the community into thinking accepting the waste project and committing to further future development was its 'only chance' for growth (Ha, 2016). As such, Gyeongju and Gyeongsanbuk both have plans to build further nuclear facilities such as research institutes (Hwang, 2016).…”

Mariana, O Maior Desastre Ambiental Do Brasil: Uma Análise Do Conflito Socioambiental

“…Ainda que um desastre possa atingir qualquer pessoa, e que políticas públicas e iniciativa privada devam atuar na mitigação dos riscos (HA, 2016), é importante considerar que algumas comunidades estão mais vulneráveis aos impactos de um desastre, devido a fatores como características socioeconômicas e demográficas (FRIGERIO; DE AMICIS, 2016).…”

Examining professional emergency managers in Korea

“…A disaster may happen to anybody, regardless of national boundary (Ha, 2016b). At the same time, the category of professional emergency managers has risen in the international community.…”