Anti-Quake Construction Regulations to Be Adopted

The Korean government has been working on beefing up building codes to prevent earthquake damage since the devastating quake and tsunami in Japan in March.

The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs is disclosing the revised construction codes for review Friday.

The revised law will require all new buildings to be constructed to withstand earthquakes, and those of 30 or more floors to have emergency shelters.

Currently, only buildings taller than two stories with more than 1,000 sq.m of floor space have to follow quake-proofing regulations.

However, that rule affects only a small number of buildings in Korea, leaving the country vulnerable to a strong earthquake.