Thirty 'minor' earthquakes hit Korea this year

People take part in earthquake safety drills in Hoengseong, Gangwon Province, on May 19. / Yonhap

By Kim Da-hee

The Korean Peninsula has a reputation for being in an earthquake “safe zone,” but this proposition appears to be on shaky ground.

According to the state weather agency, 30 earthquakes have been reported this year, compared with 15 last year. The figure in the first six months also passed 30 percent of that of 2013, when the peninsula experienced the most earthquakes ― 93.

This year’s earthquakes were in the 2-3.5-magnitude range, causing no casualties. But local news outlets pointed to the increased level of tremors, citing seven earthquakes with a magnitude of 3 or higher, large enough to shake windows.

“Small-magnitude earthquakes causing no damage have been occurring more this year,” an official at the Korea Meteorological Administration said. “The peninsula is on the fault plane that can cause minor earthquakes.”