Korean Public Alert Service

An example placeholder for an alert

Korean Public Alert Service (KPAS) is a service in which the South Korean government delivers alerts to mobile phones to prevent damages when disasters would damage people and such property. In June 2023, the government overhauled the system after an erroneous alert led to confusion. The new system will provide more information, such as "who, when, where, what, how and why". The alert system numbers are listed below.

• 112 for police
• 119 for ambulance and fire

When Used

KPAS is used for many emergency events, and the list includes

• Typhoons

• Earthquakes

• Floods

• Severe Weather

• Public Safety Threats

• Health Emergencies

History

2017-2022 (Early years)

The Korea Public Alert Service (KPAS) was launched in 2017 as part of South Korea's initiative to enhance its emergency communication systems. The establishment of KPAS was prompted by increasing concerns over natural disasters, such as typhoons and earthquakes, which had highlighted the need for a more effective way to disseminate crucial information to the public. The service aimed to unify various existing emergency alert systems into a cohesive framework capable of quickly and efficiently delivering vital notifications to citizens in times of crisis.

In its first year, KPAS focused on implementing the service and raising public awareness. Initial public outreach campaigns were conducted to educate citizens about the system's purpose and functionality. These campaigns included social media engagement, public service announcements, and community events to ensure that residents understood how to receive alerts and the types of emergencies covered. The service conducted several test alerts to verify functionality and familiarize the public with receiving notifications during emergencies.

On October 3, 2018, South Korea conducted its first national test of the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system. The test was executed at 2:18 PM EDT and aimed to reach approximately 75% of cell phones across the country.

In 2019, KPAS began to refine its systems based on user feedback and stakeholder input. The service introduced improvements aimed at enhancing the clarity and reliability of alerts. This period also saw efforts to integrate more technologies into KPAS, including smartphone applications and online platforms, thereby expanding its reach and accessibility for all citizens. As the public became more aware of KPAS, the service saw increased engagement from users, prompting further enhancements.

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 presented new challenges and opportunities for KPAS. The service adapted by providing health-related emergency alerts, informing the public about safety measures, quarantine guidelines, and updates on the evolving situation.

In 2021, KPAS undertook modernization efforts to enhance its technological capabilities. This included the implementation of advanced data analytics to better predict and respond to emerging threats, such as natural disasters and public health emergencies. Additionally, KPAS focused on user engagement, encouraging more citizens to sign up for alerts. Public drills and training sessions were organized to familiarize communities with emergency procedures and ensure preparedness for various scenarios.

By 2022, KPAS had further strengthened its capabilities through increased collaboration with local and national emergency management agencies. These partnerships ensured a coordinated response during emergencies and improved the overall effectiveness of public alerts. KPAS continued to prioritize public engagement, conducting drills and exercises to test the system’s effectiveness and prepare communities for potential emergencies.

In 2024, KPAS started incorporating certain English keywords into emergency alerts, in order to avoid confusion by citizens and visitors who don't speak the Korean language. An Interior Ministry official was quoted as saying about this change: “When non-Korean speakers receive emergency text alerts, the Ministry anticipates that they will be able to react to disasters from now on without confusion or anxiety and take self-evacuation measures, if necessary"