Rapid Evolution of Emergency Management Culture

Abstract

With direct or indirect reference to neighboring countries, this article presents an investigation into how changes in South Korean emergency management culture have evolved via three components, namely, (a) emergency and its impacts, (b) emergency management education, and (c) technological development against emergencies, during three periods: the 20th century (1900-1999), the decade from 2000 to 2009, and the decade from 2010 to 2019. The major tenet of this study is that South Korean culture, initially and later, changed rapidly with the coherence of the above-mentioned three components during the periods covered, going through the stages, in chronological order, of emergency numbness, emergency awareness, and a more rational response. Thus, Koreans need to wisely maintain the momentum of this change by learning from the three stages toward achieving the goal of emergency management.