Ground Subsidence in South Korea and Limitations of its Management System

Ground subsidence is a significant risk that directly affects public safety and daily life, which makes its systematic analysis and management essential. This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of the causes of ground subsidence by classifying them based on temporal, spatial, and causal factors. Additionally, the correlation between precipitation and groundwater levels in frequently affected areas was examined, and borehole data from these regions were analyzed to support these findings. Moreover, a comparative analysis of South Korea’s ground subsidence management system with those of the United States and Japan revealed critical limitations of the former. The findings of this study underscore the necessity of establishing a new, integrated management framework to enable the prediction and systematic control of ground subsidence.