Major Natural Disasters in South Korea's History

Typhoons

• Typhoon Sarah (1959) – 250 km/h winds, >1,000 deaths.
• Typhoon Maemi (2003) – 165 km/h, >100 deaths, severe flooding.
• Typhoon Chaba (2016) – 185 km/h, >100,000 displaced.

Earthquakes

• Gyeongju Earthquake (779) – Estimated magnitude 8.0+, >1,000 deaths (largest historical).
• Taean Earthquake (2017) – Magnitude 5.8, 15 dead, 200+ injured.

Floods

• Namhae Flood (1984) – Typhoon-triggered, >200 deaths.
• Seoul Floods (2010) – Typhoon Bolaven, 32+ deaths.

Droughts

• Great Drought (1592–93) – Two-year famine, millions perished.
• 2015 Drought – Severe agricultural damage, water shortages.

South Korea's geography makes it vulnerable to typhoons, seismic activity, and extreme precipitation events.