How to find a civil defence shelter in South Korea

Short answer. South Korea's civil defence shelters (민방위 대피시설) are mostly existing underground spaces designated as shelters: basements, underground car parks and subway stations, plus government-built shelters in border areas and the five West Sea islands ¹. MOIS says you can check their location and size on Naver, Daum, Naver Map, KakaoMap, T map, the national disaster portal and the Safety Stepping Stone app ¹.

Does South Korea have public shelters?

Yes. Under the Civil Defense Act (art. 15(1)), ministers, provincial governors and city, county and district heads must set up emergency shelters ⁴. Most are not purpose-built: authorities designate existing underground spaces ¹. Purpose-built government shelters exist in border areas and on the five West Sea islands ¹.

City, county and district heads may also designate shelters owned by the state or public bodies, and private shelters of 60 m² or more, as public shelters after consulting the owner (Enforcement Rules art. 15) ⁵. Shelters can be used for other purposes in peacetime but must be usable immediately in an emergency (art. 14) ⁵.

How many shelters are there?

We found no national total on an official page. The Seoul Metropolitan Government alone manages about 2,975 shelters, according to its safety portal (updated 5 March 2026) ³.

How do I find my nearest shelter?

MOIS lists these ways to check a shelter's location and size ¹:

1. Search 민방위 대피소 ("civil defence shelter") in Naver Map, KakaoMap or T map, or on the Naver and Daum portals.
2. Use the 안전디딤돌 (Safety Stepping Stone) app from MOIS.
3. Use the national disaster safety portal, safekorea.go.kr.

The 2024 Emergency Action Guide puts "know where your shelter is" first among its preparation steps ². Look it up now, for home, work and school, rather than during an alert.

What if there is no shelter nearby?

The official guidance is to go to the closest underground space, such as a subway station or an underground car park, or to a concrete building without windows ¹. For how to choose between staying and moving, see shelter or evacuate; for why underground and dense materials help, see protection factor.

Is there water in public shelters?

MOIS runs civil defence emergency water facilities meant to supply residents with 25 litres of basic water per day until the mains network is restored ¹. These are water supply points, not stocks inside every shelter. Keep your own bottled water; see the kit checklist.

Frequently asked questions

Is my apartment's underground car park a shelter?

Only if it has been designated. Many designated shelters are underground car parks ¹; check the exact location in a map app or the Safety Stepping Stone app ¹.

Can a private basement become a public shelter?

Yes. A private shelter of 60 m² or more can be designated as a public shelter after consultation with its owner ⁵.

What do I do when the air-raid siren sounds?

Go to the nearest shelter or underground space and follow broadcast instructions ¹². See alerts for the signals.

Are shelters open in peacetime?

They may be used for other purposes in peacetime but must be usable immediately in an emergency ⁵.

Sources

1. 행정안전부 (Ministry of the Interior and Safety) — 민방위 제도 운영 — https://mois.go.kr/frt/sub/a06/b12/civildefensework/screen.do (accessed 2026-10-20)
2. 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)
3. 서울특별시 (Seoul Metropolitan Government) — 민방위 대피소 — https://news.seoul.go.kr/safe/archives/2094 (accessed 2026-10-20)
4. 국가법령정보센터 (Ministry of Government Legislation) — 민방위기본법 — https://www.law.go.kr/법령/민방위기본법 (accessed 2026-10-20)
5. 국가법령정보센터 (Ministry of Government Legislation) — 민방위기본법 시행규칙 (시행 2026-10-02) — https://www.law.go.kr/법령/민방위기본법시행규칙 (accessed 2026-10-20)