A Study on the Countermeasures against Social Disasters in the Itaewon

Purpose: Research on countermeasures against social disasters by analyzing the Itaewon disaster that shocked Korean society. Method: In order to study how to respond to social disasters considered as the Itaewon disaster, we analyze domestic laws and compare overseas cases. Results: Until the Framework Act on Disaster and Safety Management is revised to resolve legal issues for events without organizers, local governments should be responsible for planning, controlling, and safety. In addition, even if there is no organizer, the contents and risks of the event should be shared among related agencies and systematically responded by sharing roles through the “Regional Safety Management Committee” organized by the head of the local government under the law. Conclusion: The Itaewon disaster has many implications. It should be an opportunity to identify public safety problems such as crowd accidents and check social disaster response systems to move toward a properly established “Safe Korea” through revision of related laws and system and system maintenance.