South Korean lawmakers say most landslides hit areas outside designated risk zones
In short
Data from the Korea Forest Service shows 297 areas were left off the landslide-vulnerable list in 2023-2025 after objections from landowners and other interested parties, said Democratic Party lawmaker Song Ok-ju (송옥주). Of 2,637 landslides last year, 2,393 (90.7%) occurred outside designated areas. A separate lawmaker's office said only 7.9% of landslide sites over five years had been designated beforehand.
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Song Ok-ju, a Democratic Party member of the National Assembly's agriculture, food, rural affairs, oceans and fisheries committee, said on 20 October that 297 areas were rejected by the landslide-vulnerable area designation committee in 2023-2025 after objections from landowners and other interested parties. She cited data received from the Korea Forest Service. [ 1 , 3 ]
According to the reports, the Forest Service surveys landslide risk and the spread of nearby homes, holds a public notice period, and then puts areas to the designation committee. Designated areas receive regular inspections and evacuation support. Asia Economy said current law and Forest Service guidelines give them priority for erosion-control works and at least two on-site inspections a year. Residents file objections over concern that designation could limit property rights or lower house prices. Song said undesignated areas rank lower when prevention facilities and forecast and warning devices are decided. [ 1 , 3 ]
The Forest Service data show 2,637 landslides nationwide last year, of which 2,393 (90.7%) occurred outside designated areas. Fifteen people were harmed. [ 1 , 3 ]
Maeil Business reported separate data given to Cho Seung-hwan of the People Power Party by the Forest Service. Of 7,707 landslide sites in the past five years, 607 (7.9%) had been designated beforehand. In 2023, when 11 people were harmed, 3.0% of landslides occurred in designated areas, and in 2024, when 17 were harmed, the rate was 9.3%. The outlet said designated areas grew by about 7,000 in four years while the hit rate fell from 13.7% in 2021 to 9.3% in 2025. It also said erosion-control works in vulnerable areas made up about half of the total over four years. [ 2 ]
Song called for a system to supplement the current designation and management scheme, including an AI-based management system shared with local governments, and support for undesignated risk areas. Asia Economy also quoted her as saying the Forest Service should set a review procedure for rejected areas and objective designation criteria. Cho said the Forest Service should review the system from site selection to prevention priorities. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Asia Economy said the Forest Service has provided township-level landslide forecasts this year, lets residents propose areas for designation, and raised inspection and response staff from 760 to 9,272. It plans to expand surveys to 17,000 sites and apply AI to its risk map by next year. The outlet noted criticism that a more precise map alone would not solve the problem if undesignated areas get no prevention work. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The figures were released on 20 October by lawmakers on the National Assembly's agriculture and oceans committee. Song said undesignated areas rank lower when prevention facilities and warning devices are decided, and Cho Seung-hwan said the Forest Service should review the designation system and prevention priorities.
Key facts
- In 2023-2025, 297 areas were rejected by the landslide-vulnerable area designation committee after objections from landowners and other interested parties, according to Forest Service data given to Song Ok-ju. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Of 2,637 landslides nationwide last year, 2,393 (90.7%) occurred outside designated vulnerable areas; 15 people were harmed. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Over the past five years, only 607 of 7,707 landslide sites (7.9%) had been designated vulnerable areas beforehand, according to data given to Cho Seung-hwan (조승환) of the People Power Party. [ 2 ]
- The designation rate was 3.0% in 2023, when 11 people were harmed, and 9.3% in 2024, when 17 were harmed. [ 2 ]
- Designated areas receive regular inspections and evacuation support; residents have objected over fears of property-right limits or lower house prices. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Only about half of erosion-control works over the past four years went to vulnerable areas: 51.6% for hillside works, 51.8% for stream conservation and 51.9% for check dams. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Song Ok-ju, citing Forest Service data, said 297 areas were rejected by the designation committee in 2023-2025 after objections from landowners and other interested parties. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Of the 2,637 landslides last year, 2,393 (90.7%) occurred outside designated vulnerable areas, and 15 people were harmed. [ 1 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The 7.9% designation rate over five years comes from one outlet citing one lawmaker's office. Only Maeil Business reports the 607-of-7,707 figure; the other documents do not repeat it.
- Whether the 297 rejected areas will be reviewed. Song called for a review procedure and objective criteria, but the documents do not say the Forest Service has agreed.