Related Experiment Videos
Terrorism in South Korea
Soon Joo Wang1, Jin Tae Choi, Jeffrey Arnold
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, South Korea. erwsj@chol.com
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine
|April 13, 2004
Summary
South Korea has developed a robust national emergency response system for terrorism, adapting to evolving threats from domestic and international sources since 1958. This system now categorizes responses for conventional, bio-chemical, radiological, and cyber-terrorism.
Area of Science:
- Homeland Security
- International Relations
- Public Health
Background:
- South Korea has faced over 30 terrorism-related incidents since 1958, with North Korea being a primary source of domestic threats before 1990.
- Post-1990, attacks against South Korean citizens increasingly occurred abroad, influenced by global terrorism trends.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the evolution of terrorism threats in South Korea.
- To examine the development of national emergency response systems for terrorism.
- To outline the current multi-divisional response framework for various terrorism types.
Main Methods:
- Historical analysis of terrorism-related events in South Korea.
- Review of national policy and system development in response to global and domestic incidents.
- Description of the current five-division emergency response structure.
Main Results:
- The 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 9/11 attacks were key catalysts for developing South Korea's national terrorism response.
- The current system is divided into five categories: conventional, bioterrorism, chemical terrorism, radiological terrorism, and cyber-terrorism.
- South Korea has successfully managed major international events, like the 2002 World Cup, without terrorism incidents.
Conclusions:
- South Korea's emergency management for terrorism is dynamically adapting to contemporary global risks.
- The established multi-ministry response system demonstrates a comprehensive approach to diverse terrorist threats.
- Continued adaptation is crucial for maintaining national security against evolving terrorism.