SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT FRAMEWORK ORDINANCE ON THE MANAGEMENT OF DISASTERS AND SAFETY
| Amendment of Other Laws No. 9882, Sep. 29, 2025 | |
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CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1 (Purpose)
The purposes of this Ordinance are to prescribe the matters delegated under the Framework Act on the Management of Disasters and Safety; to establish the Seoul Metropolitan City’s disaster and safety management systems to protect the citizens, property, and municipal functions of Seoul Metropolitan City from diverse types of disaster; and to prescribe the matters necessary for the prevention of, preparedness for, response to, and recovery from disasters; as well as for promoting safety-culture activities, and other matters necessary for safety management.
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Article 2 (Definition)
The definitions of the terms used in this Ordinance shall be as follows:<Amended on Jul. 13, 2017; Mar. 28, 2019; May 16, 2019; May 19, 2020; May 22, 2023; Oct. 4, 2023>
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Article 3 (Responsibilities of the City)
(1) The City shall prepare damage and safety management policies to prevent disasters and other accidents and to minimize potential damages that may result from the occurrence of a disaster; and, in the event of a disaster, the City shall make highly concerted and coordinated efforts to recover the affected areas and stabilize civic life.
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Article 4 (Citizens’ Rights)
(1) All of Seoul’s citizens shall have the right to lead a peaceful life and to be protected from disasters.
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Article 5 (Citizens’ Obligations)
(1) Seoul’s citizens shall remain aware that disasters and other accidents may occur anywhere and at any time, protect their own lives, physical safety, and property, and make efforts not to infringe upon or put at risk other people’s safety.
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SECTION 1 Seoul Metropolitan City Safety Management Committee
Article 6 (Establishment of Seoul Metropolitan City’s Safety Management Committee)
(1) The Mayor shall establish, under his or her jurisdiction, the Seoul Metropolitan City Safety Management Committee (hereinafter referred to as the “Safety Management Committee”) to deliberate and coordinate on the following matters concerning the City’s disaster and safety management:<Amended on Oct. 4, 2023; Jul. 15, 2024>
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Article 7 (Composition of the Safety Management Committee)
(1) The Mayor shall serve as the Chairperson of the Safety Management Committee, while the Vice-Mayor II for Administrative Affairs shall serve as the Vice-Chairperson.<Amended on Oct. 4, 2023>
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Article 8 (Safety Management Committee Members’ Term of Office)
The term of office of a member commissioned under Article 7 (2) 8 shall be two years, which may be renewed: Provided, however, that the Chairperson may decommission a commissioned member before the expiration of the member’s term if necessary for the operations of the Committee or under Article 8-2 of the Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Establishment and Operation of Various Committees, and a substitute member’s term of office shall be the remainder of the predecessor’s.<Amended on Jul. 24, 2023; Oct. 4, 2023>
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Article 9 (Meetings of the Safety Management Committee)
(1) The Chairperson shall chair meetings, and the Vice-Chairperson shall perform the Chairperson’s duties by proxy if the Chairperson is unable to do so due to an unavoidable cause.
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Article 10 (The Working Committee for Safety Policy Coordination)
(1) To ensure the efficient operation of the Safety Management Committee, the Mayor may establish a Working Committee for Safety Policy Coordination (hereinafter referred to as the “Coordination Committee”) under the Safety Management Committee, whose tasks shall consist in examining items of agenda for referral to meetings of the Safety Management Committee and in organizing matters regarding cooperation between relevant agencies.
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Article 11 (Disaster Information Broadcasting Consultative Committee)
(1) The Seoul Metropolitan City Disaster Information Broadcasting Consultative Committee (hereinafter referred to as the “Broadcasting Committee”) shall be established under the Safety Management Committee under Article 12 (1) of the Act to facilitate predictions, alerts and notices of a disaster, or emergency measures for and broadcasting of a disaster.<Amended on Jul. 15, 2024>
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Article 12 (Private-Public Cooperation Safety Management Committee)
(1) The Chairperson of the Safety Management Committee may form and convene the Seoul Metropolitan City Private-Public Cooperation Safety Management Committee (hereinafter “Cooperation Committee”) under Article 12-2 of the Act, and the Cooperation Committee shall perform the following functions: <Amended on December 31, 2019>
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SECTION 2 Seoul Metropolitan City Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters
Article 13 (Establishment of the Seoul Metropolitan City Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters)
The Mayor shall establish the Countermeasure Headquarters under the Mayor under Article 16 of the Act to supervise and coordinate matters concerning resolution, etc. and to take necessary measures.
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Article 14 (Composition of the Countermeasure Headquarters)
(1) The Mayor shall serve as the Administrator responsible for supervising the work of the Countermeasure Headquarters. <Amended on Oct. 4, 2023>
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Article 15 (Functions of the Countermeasure Headquarters)
The Countermeasure Headquarters shall have the following functions: <Amended on Mar. 28, 2019; Oct. 4, 2023>
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Article 16 (Meetings of the Countermeasure Headquarters, Etc.)
(1) The Administrator may, upon deeming it necessary, form and convene a meeting of the Seoul Metropolitan City Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters under Article 16 (2) of the Act (hereinafter referred to as a “Countermeasure Headquarters meeting”) and may form and convene) “working-level meetings” under the meetings of the Countermeasure Headquarters in order to examine in advance the items of agenda for the meetings of the Countermeasure Headquarters, etc.
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Article 17 (Requests to Related Agencies for Staff Dispatch Etc.)
When organizing a Working Group under Article 14 (2) 5, the Administrator may request the heads of the related disaster management agencies to dispatch affiliated employees under Article 17 (1) of the Act in consideration of the roles, functions, etc. of the agencies.
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Article 18 (Advance Training of Dispatched Staff, Etc. )
(1) To ensure that dispatched workers perform their disaster situation management duties effectively, the Administrator may have the list of personnel to be dispatched submitted in advance by the related disaster management agencies in order to provide them with advance education and training necessary to perform their duties.
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Article 19 (Duties of Dispatched Personnel, Etc.)
(1) Personnel dispatched to the Countermeasure Headquarters shall perform in good faith all the duties assigned to them in the posts designated by the Administrator.
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Article 20 (Dispatch of Field Situation Management Officers)
(1) To support rapid disaster resolution, the Administrator may dispatch field situation management officers to an autonomous Gu (district office) where a disaster has occurred; whereas the composition, duties, etc. of the field situation management officers shall be determined by the Mayor.
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Article 21 (Command of Autonomous Gu Countermeasure Headquarters, Etc.)
(1) In the event that a disaster may occur or has occurred, the City Administrator may request or command the head of a disaster management agency, including the Administrator of the Countermeasure Headquarters of an autonomous Gu (district office), to take all necessary measures to ensure a rapid response to and resolution of a disaster.
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Article 22 (Disaster Site Situation Management System)
(1) The Administrator may establish an emergency support headquarters at a location that allows easy access to the site of a disaster requiring situation management.
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Article 23 (Cooperation Systems with Disaster Management Agencies at Various Levels and Organizations, Etc.)
The Administrator shall establish systems of organic cooperation with disaster management agencies at various levels, relief agencies such as the Korean Red Cross and Hope Bridge, and various other organizations, etc. for the efficient execution of disaster situation management.
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Article 24 (Criteria for Damage Support, Etc. in Social Accidents)
(1) The Administrator may provide support under Article 66 (4) of the Act in cases where the sites of “social accidents” are not declared as “special disaster areas”.
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Article 25 (Report on Social Accident Damage Situation, Etc.)
(1) Persons or entities that suffer losses resulting from a social accident shall report them to the head of the autonomous Gu or Dong using the Damage Report, attached Form 1, within 10 days of the occurrence of such damages.<Amended on May 16, 2019>
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Article 26 (Establishment of Personnel and Equipment Mobilization Systems, Etc.)
(1) In consultation with the head of the disaster management agency located in the area under jurisdiction and under Article 34 (2) of the Act, the Mayor shall identify and manage the current status of all personnel and equipment under the control of the disaster management agency, including such personnel as military troops, reserve troops, persons ordered to provide community services, public officials, police officers, firefighting officials, civil defense units, and public workers available for mobilization, and special equipment such as knuckle-boom cranes, septic tank trucks, and cleaning trucks. <Amended on Mar. 28, 2019.>
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Article 27 (Measures for Disaster Situations)
The Administrator, upon learning of the prediction of the possible or imminent occurrence of a natural disaster, or upon deeming urgent measures to be necessary due to the predicted or imminent occurrence of a natural disaster, shall issue a request through the national disaster management information system to the heads of the related disaster management agencies, including the heads of autonomous Gu’s (district offices), to take all necessary measures.
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Article 28 (Disaster Situation Reporting Guidelines)
Under Article 20 (1) of the Act and Article 24 (1) of the Decree, the heads of disaster management agencies at various levels shall report the facts pertaining to a disaster that has occurred or may occur to the Mayor, the head of the autonomous Gu in the area under jurisdiction, or the head of the related central administrative agency, according to the following categories:<Amended on Dec. 31, 2020>
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SECTION 3 Seoul Metropolitan City Disaster and Safety Management Center <Amended on May 14, 2015>
Article 29 (Establishment of the Disaster and Safety Management Center)
Under Article 18 of the Act, the Mayor shall establish the Seoul Metropolitan City Disaster and Safety Management Center (hereinafter the “Disaster Center”) to perform such duties as the collection and dissemination of disaster information, situation management, initial measures on the occurrence of disasters, and command duties.
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Article 30 (Functions of the Disaster Center)
(1) The Disaster Center shall perform the following functions:
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SECTION IV Seoul Metropolitan City Safety Management Advisory Group
Article 31 (Establishment and Composition of the Seoul Metropolitan City Safety Management Advisory Group)
(1) Under Article 75 of the Act, the Mayor may establish the Seoul Metropolitan City Safety Management Advisory Group (hereinafter referred to as the “Advisory Group”), under the Disaster & Safety Office, to provide technical advice on disaster and safety management duties. <Amended on Jul. 30, 2015; May 16, 2019; May 22, 2023; May 20, 2024>
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Article 32 (Functions of the Advisory Group)
The Advisory Group shall advise the Mayor on the following matters:
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Article 33 (Term of Office of Advisors)
The term of office of an advisor shall be two years, which may be renewed: Provided, however, that the Mayor may decommission an advisor before the expiration of their term under the following circumstances: <Amended on Mar. 28, 2019; Jan. 3, 2025>
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CHAPTER III DISASTER PREVENTION AND PREPARATION
Article 34 (Disaster Prevention Measures)
To preempt and prevent the occurrence of a disaster, the Mayor shall continuously manage and take necessary measures regarding facilities and areas deemed to be at high risk of disaster or to require continuous management for disaster prevention under Article 25-2 of the Act.
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Article 35 (Emergency Safety Inspections and Emergency Safety Measures for Disaster Prevention)
(1) Under Article 30 of the Act and Article 38 of the Decree, the Mayor may conduct an emergency safety inspection of a facility or area falling under the following:
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Article 36 (Issuance, Etc. of Disaster Forecasts and Alerts)
(1) Under Article 38 of the Act and Article 46 of the Decree, the Administrator may issue region-level forecasts and alerts or request the Administrator of the Countermeasure Headquarters of an autonomous Gu (district office) to issue such forecasts and alerts.
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Article 37 (Disaster Risk Factor Reporting)
(1) A citizen who discovers a risk factor or becomes aware of signs indicating the possible occurrence of a disaster shall immediately report the facts to the Mayor, the head of the autonomous Gu (district office), emergency rescue agency or other related administrative agency.
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Article 38 Deleted<Oct. 4, 2023>
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Article 39 (Disaster Statistics)
(1) The Mayor shall collect data and materials pertaining to previous domestic and international disasters and manage them in a statistical format.
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Article 40 (Utilization of Crisis Management Manuals, Etc.)
(1) The head of a disaster management agency shall conduct disaster management activities in conformance with the Risk
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Article 41 (Disaster Management Policy Research, Development, and Utilization)
(1) The Mayor shall research, develop and implement various policies to prevent and manage disasters in a comprehensive and organized manner, and to raise civic safety awareness.
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Article 42 (Maintenance and Evaluation of Disaster Management Systems, Etc.)
(1) In relation to the disaster and safety management of the City and its autonomous Gus, the Mayor shall periodically evaluate (i) the status of establishment and maintenance of disaster-management programs and disaster-response organizations in accordance with the prevention, preparation, response, and recovery process, and (ii) the safety management systems and safety management regulations for fields at high risk of disaster, and shall ensure that the results are reflected in new policies.
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Article 43 (Operation of Emergency Shelters, Etc.)
(1) The Mayor and heads of autonomous Gus shall establish and maintain facilities to which residents under their jurisdiction can evacuate promptly in the event of a disaster. If the facility is a public space, such as an indoor gymnasium, necessary measures shall be taken to protect residents’ privacy, such as providing simple temporary facilities. <Amended on Mar. 28, 2019>
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Article 43-2 (Installation of Direction Signs, Etc.)
(1) The Mayor and heads of Gu’s (district offices) shall attach direction signs for earthquake shelters, heat shelters, and cold shelters to the respective facilities, their doors, and surrounding locations and ensure that they are clearly visible to the public. The owner or manager of such facility shall cooperate with the foregoing in the absence of a compelling cause for not doing so. <Amended on Jan. 3, 2019>
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CHAPTER IV DISASTER RESPONSE AND RECOVERY
Article 44 (Reporting and Dissemination of Disaster Situations)
(1) The heads of City-invested or City-funded institutions and the heads of autonomous Gu’s (district offices) shall report a disaster situation to the Mayor under Article 20 of the Act immediately upon being informed of concerns about the possible or actual occurrence of a disaster in the areas and affairs under their jurisdiction.
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Article 45 (Emergency Response Measures)
In the event that a disaster may occur or has occurred in an area under the Mayor’s jurisdiction, the Mayor may rapidly disseminate the facts of the situation and take emergency measures, such as issuing evacuation orders and imposing restrictions on passage.
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Article 46 (Emergency Rescue)
(1) The head of the emergency rescue control group established at the City’s Fire & Disaster Headquarters under Article 50 of the Act shall rapidly mobilize and dispatch the emergency rescue staff under his or her command to the disaster site in order to carry out all necessary rescue efforts in the event of a disaster.
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Article 47 (Recovery Activities, Etc.)
The Mayor shall take all measures necessary to facilitate recovery from and resolution of an emergency situation in the regions and facilities affected by a disaster. <Amended on Mar. 27, 2023>
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CHAPTER V DISASTER AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT PLANS, ETC.
Article 48 (Master Plan for Urban Safety)
(1) The Mayor shall formulate a Master Plan for Urban Safety every five years to ensure the comprehensive and organized implementation of the City’s disaster and safety management projects.
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Article 49 (Formulation of Safety Management Plans)
(1) The head of a disaster management agency with jurisdiction over all or a part of the City under Article 24 (2) of the Act shall prepare a safety management work plan for the area under his or her jurisdiction and submit it to the Mayor.<Amended on Oct. 4, 2023>
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Article 50 (International Exchange and Cooperation Programs)
(1) To develop urban safety policies and to achieve safe urban living, the Mayor may implement international cooperation programs including exchanges of disaster prevention and safety management information with foreign cities, training institutions, businesses, international organizations, etc.<Amended on Sep. 30, 2021>
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Article 51 (Formation of Local Safety Communities)
The Mayor shall promote the formation of local safety communities to enable their members to help prevent disasters and accidents in their local communities and live in safety.
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Article 52 (Fostering and Support for Safety Culture Activities)
(1) The Mayor shall make efforts to raise awareness of the importance and necessity of civic safety and to enhance the safety culture.
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Article 53 (Guidance and Supervision of Autonomous Gus’ Regional Festivals)
When guiding and inspecting the implementation of an autonomous Gu’s (district offices) regional festival safety management plans under Article 66-11 (2) of the Act, the Mayor shall conduct on-site verification in the following cases in the absence of a compelling cause for not doing so:
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Article 54 (Training of Safety Management Professional Personnel)
(1) The Mayor may train professional personnel needed for disaster and safety management.
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Article 55 (Volunteers)
(1) The Mayor may allow volunteer individuals and organizations to participate in disaster management and disaster relief-related efforts under subparagraph 9 of Article 3-2 under the Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on Support for Volunteer Activities. <Amended on Oct. 4, 2023>
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Article 56 (Financial Support)
(1) The Mayor may, within the available budget, support disaster and safety management projects implemented by the autonomous Gu’s (district offices).
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Article 57 (Support for Vulnerable Groups)
(1) The Mayor may formulate policies for vulnerable groups and support them within the available budget, taking into consideration the following matters: <Amended on Mar. 27, 2023; Dec. 29, 2023>
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Article 58 (Compensation, Etc.)
The Mayor may pay compensation and travel expenses within the available budget to persons who attend committee or advisory group meetings, or participate in safety inspections, etc. Matters concerning payment shall be governed mutatis mutandis by the Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance on the Payment of Committee Compensation and Travel Costs.
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CHAPTER VI SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS <Added on May 14, 2015>
Article 59 (Public Communication of Disaster Situations, Etc.)
(1) To ensure the effective public communication of disaster situations, etc. to Seoul’s citizens and residents, the Administrator may, if necessary, appoint a private sector expert as a dedicated public communications officer to perform such communication duties.
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Article 60 (Countermeasure Headquarters Document Management)
(1) Documents generated in the Administrator’s name shall be prepared and processed according to the criteria for preparing and processing public documents under the Enforcement Rules of the Regulations on the Promotion of Administrative Efficiency and Collaboration. <Amended on Jan. 4, 2018>
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Addendum (Seoul Metropolitan Government Ordinance Uniformly Amending Six Ordinances, including the Seoul Metropolitan Government Fiscal Management Ordinance, for Updates on Authoritarian or Discriminatory Language) <No. 9570, Mar. 27, 2025> |






