Busan city releases first disaster‑relief guide for foreign residents

Busan Metropolitan City issued a new "Foreign Residents Disaster Relief and Support Guide" to ensure that foreign residents and visitors receive timely assistance during emergencies, eliminating language and procedural barriers. The guide, published on 29 May, outlines step‑by‑step procedures for initial response, emergency response, recovery and an appendix with emergency contact lists for city, district and support agencies.

Drawing on the Disaster and Safety Management Act, the Disaster Relief Act, the Basic Act on the Treatment of Foreign Residents and related Vienna Convention provisions, the document details measures such as crisis alert dissemination, identity verification, interpreter request protocols, psychological support, distribution of relief items, livelihood assistance and insurance claim processes. It notes that Busan had about 88,542 foreign residents as of November 2024 and expects roughly 3.64 million foreign visitors in 2025.

The city will distribute the guide to all relevant departments and use it in disaster‑response training, including drills that simulate incidents involving foreign victims. Busan city Civil Safety Director Lee Byung‑seok said the guide aims to prevent any foreign victim from being left out of rescue and support efforts.