Disaster text messages that foreigners and the elderly ignore... What are the problems and solutions?

Can you tell if it's an earthquake or where to go just by looking at 'Earthquake'?

We will look into the problems and solutions of disaster text messages that are not sufficiently conveyed to foreigners and the elderly.

There are approximately 3 million foreigners residing in Korea. The Ministry of Public Administration and Security and the Korea Meteorological Administration will indicate the disaster type and earthquake magnitude in English in emergency and emergency disaster texts starting from 2024.

At the time of the magnitude 4.8 earthquake in Buan, Jeollabuk-do in June 2024, Earthquake was virtually the only information available in foreign languages. There were no instructions on how to stay in the building or where to go.

If it only tells you what to avoid and doesn't tell you where to go, it may only be a half-assed guide. Disaster language involves two steps: what happened and how to act.

The Safety Stepping Stone app for foreigners (Emergency Ready App) provides disaster information in 22 languages, including Vietnamese, Thai, English, Japanese, and Chinese. This is a way to compensate for language barriers until the standard text is overhauled.

The Ministry of Public Administration and Security is developing standard text so that you can immediately determine when, where, and how to evacuate. We are also pursuing a plan to increase the character capacity from 90 to 157 characters to specifically include ambiguous phrases.

Elderly people who use older cell phones or are not familiar with operating them may not receive emergency text messages or may not be able to check them in time. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has also prepared a plan to directly inform the elderly and the disabled, along with re-disseminating the message through village broadcasts.

Kim Seul-ong, director of the Sejong Korean Language and Culture Center, emphasized, "If you fill the disaster text with difficult words, someone may miss the meaning in the face of danger. Just as words about life and safety should be easier, the elderly and the disabled will also need other delivery methods such as broadcasting, phone calls, and visits."

Broadcast subtitles and buzzwords that add fun!

However, for some people, it can become a wall that makes it difficult to follow their will. 'Korean Language Rescue Team' looks at each expression in the broadcast and works together to find a way for everyone to easily understand and communicate.