Short answer. South Korea's 2024 Emergency Action Guide lists 13 items for the survival backpack: bottled water, ready-to-eat food, a torch, household medicines, a battery radio, toilet paper or wet wipes, a raincoat, a blanket, a gas mask, a face mask, rubber gloves, rubber boots and plastic bags 1. It sets no quantities 1. Seoul adds a first-aid list and a CBRN list 2.
What is on the national survival backpack list?
Line by line, as listed in the 2024 MOIS booklet 1:
- Bottled water (생수)
- Ready-to-eat food (간편식)
- Torch / flashlight (손전등)
- Household medicines (상비약)
- Radio with batteries (라디오, 건전지)
- Toilet paper or wet wipes (화장지, 물티슈)
- Raincoat (우의)
- Blanket (담요)
- Gas mask (방독면)
- Face mask (마스크)
- Rubber gloves (고무장갑)
- Rubber boots (장화)
- Plastic bags (비닐봉투)
The booklet gives no quantity for any item and ends the list with "etc." 1. For radio choice, see emergency radio.
What does Seoul add for first aid?
From the Seoul Metropolitan Government's emergency supplies page 2:
- Disinfectant
- Fever and pain reliever
- Digestive medicine
- Scissors
- Bandages
- Plasters
More detail: what goes in a first-aid kit.
What is on Seoul's CBRN list?
For chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incidents, Seoul lists 2:
- Gas mask, or a wet towel
- Dust mask
- Long hooded top
- Rubber gloves
- Soap and detergent (no bleach)
- Aluminium tape to seal window and door frames
See chemical shelter-in-place for how sealing a room is used.
What does the Geumcheon-gu wartime list add?
A Seoul district, Geumcheon-gu, publishes a longer wartime list 3:
- Food (staples): 15 to 30 days' worth per household
- Processed food (instant noodles, canned food): an appropriate amount, not quantified
- Cooking gear: mess kit, burner, butane gas
- Bedding and clothing: blankets, clothes
- Other: radio, backpack, mobile phone, portable lamp, candles, matches or lighter, soap, salt
The food duration is the only quantity in any of the Korean lists we found, and it is a district recommendation 3. Context on durations: emergency supplies in South Korea.
What is missing from the official lists?
None of the lists sets an amount of water per person 123. Our general guides on water per person, important documents and people with specific needs can help you fill the gaps; they are not part of the Korean official lists.
What about a ready-made kit?
If you consider a ready-made kit, compare it line by line with the official lists above: the Korean lists are the reference, not any product.
Frequently asked questions
How many items are on the national list?
Thirteen named items, followed by "etc." 1.
Does the list include a gas mask?
Yes, both the national list and Seoul's CBRN list include one; Seoul allows a wet towel as an alternative 12.
How much food should I store?
The national list does not say 1. Geumcheon-gu advises staple food for 15 to 30 days per household for wartime 3.
Sources
- 행정안전부, hosted by 서울특별시 안전 누리집 — 2024 비상시 국민행동요령(소책자) — https://news.seoul.go.kr/safe/files/2024/04/661dce8627df07.82952000.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
- 서울특별시 (Seoul Metropolitan Government), 비상기획관 — 비상대비물품 확인 — https://news.seoul.go.kr/safe/archives/513997 (accessed 2026-10-20)
- 금천구청 (Geumcheon-gu Office, Seoul) — 전시국민행동요령 — https://www.geumcheon.go.kr/portal/contents.do?key=580 (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for South Korea, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- 행정안전부, hosted by 서울특별시 안전 누리집 · 2024 비상시 국민행동요령(소책자) checked 2026-10-20
- 서울특별시 (Seoul Metropolitan Government), 비상기획관 · 비상대비물품 확인 checked 2026-10-20
- 금천구청 (Geumcheon-gu Office, Seoul) · 전시국민행동요령 checked 2026-10-20