On Friday, a magnitude 3.1 earthquake struck Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, prompting the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to activate Level 1 emergency protocols. The ministry reported that the quake occurred at 2:35 AM, with its epicenter 22 kilometers northwest of Chungju.
Ko Gi Dong, the Acting Minister of Interior and Safety, initiated the Level 1 emergency response at 2:50 AM to swiftly assess potential damages and implement urgent measures if needed. The earthquake alert level was also raised to “caution.”
Ko, who heads the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, directed relevant departments and local governments to maintain close coordination and uphold emergency response systems. He emphasized the need for rapid damage assessment and prompt action as required.