Seoul plans a nuclear protection shelter beneath Songpa public housing

Seoul is planning to build a civil defense shelter capable of withstanding nuclear and chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) attacks beneath a public housing complex in Songpa District, southern Seoul.

 
The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Housing and Urban Development Corporation are planning to construct the facility on the third basement level of the Songpa Creative Innovation Public Housing complex, which is being developed on the former site of the Seongdong Detention Center in Garak-dong, Songpa District. The shelter will cover a floor area of 2,147 square meters (23,112 square feet) and be designed to accommodate up to 1,020 people for 14 days in the event of a nuclear or CBR attack.

The facility will include clean zones, decontamination areas, a clean mechanical room, water supply systems and sanitation equipment.

 
This would be the first time a local government in Korea has independently built a civil defense shelter with nuclear protection capabilities. The city aims to complete the project by 2028 and has begun the design phase. Construction is expected to cost around 3.4 billion won ($2.4 million). When not in use for emergencies, the space will serve as a fitness facility for residents.

Seoul plans to use the site as a pilot model and eventually expand the initiative to other districts. The facility will also include protection against electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attacks. The city is reviewing existing civil defense shelters to upgrade them to sufficient survival conditions.

Source : https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/

Comprehension

Where will the new civil defense shelter be built?
What kinds of attacks will the shelter be able to withstand?
How many people will the facility be able to accommodate, and for how long?
What are some of the main features included in the shelter’s design?
How much is the project expected to cost?
When is the shelter expected to be completed?
How will the facility be used when there is no emergency?
What future plans does the city have after completing this project?

Discussion

Do you think building nuclear- and CBR-proof shelters is necessary in modern cities? Why or why not?
How does this project reflect concerns about safety and security in urban areas?
What are the benefits of having such shelters in residential areas?
Do you think it’s a good idea to use the shelter as a fitness facility when not in use for emergencies?
How can cities balance the high cost of safety infrastructure with other public needs?
What kinds of threats do you think cities like Seoul are most concerned about today?
If a nuclear or chemical attack occurred, do you think people would know how to react or where to go?
Should governments invest more in building new shelters or improving existing ones?
What emotions might residents feel knowing a nuclear shelter is built under their homes — comfort or fear?
If your city built such a shelter, would you feel safer? Why or why not?

Vocabulary

Civil defense – protection of citizens and property during emergencies such as war or disasters.
CBR (Chemical, Biological, Radiological) – types of hazardous attacks involving dangerous substances.
Decontamination – the process of removing harmful substances or pollutants.
Sanitation – systems for maintaining cleanliness and public health.
EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) – a burst of electromagnetic energy that can damage electronic devices.
Facility – a place or building used for a specific purpose.
Pilot model – a first or experimental version used to test or develop something new.
Innovation – the introduction of new ideas, methods, or technologies.