[imText1]Seeing the tragic earthquake hitting neighboring Japan, interest here has been focusing on both North and South Korea’s measures to cope with any such natural disasters.
According to U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), North Korea is in a comparatively safe area. Therefore, the authorities do not place any particular emphasis on earthquake protection.
“The authorities officially say, ‘In Chosun, there is no seismic activity,’” one defector, 52-year old Kim Cheol Yong, explained.
Kim explained, “Sometimes, when an earthquake occurs in China or wherever, they teach people how to deal with it in People’s Unit meetings: ‘Look after the No. 1 works,’ ‘Leave all apartments,’ ‘People who cannot leave should hide under a desk,’ that kind of thing.”
“From the late 1990s, I remember that an earthquake research institute expert explained this kind of thing on Chosun Central TV,” Kim added.
However, most other defectors say that they have not heard of explicit preparations for earthquakes, but say instructions are likely to be similar to those on how to deal with nuclear war or the eruption of Mt. Baekdu.
That is to say, people are instructed to take care of the No. 1 Works, paintings and other pieces of art depicting Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il first, then manage historical sites related to Kim Il Sung family, and then finally evacuate the people.
Another defector, Lee Mi Suk, who was once an elementary school teacher, explained the policy as, “After taking down portraits and oil paintings of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, evacuate dangerous places first, then we should seek ways to reduce casualties.”
Another who worked for the National Security Agency said, “It is obvious that the North Korean authorities are trying to take care of the No. 1 Works and preserve them when an earthquake occurs, instead of worrying about people’s lives.”
However, since Kim Jong Il and his regime have been thoroughly discredited, Kim Jong Il’s portrait is more likely to go down with the rest of the building.
