Lee, G.; Min, B., and Jun, K.S., 2016. Multi-Criteria Surge Vulnerability Assessment with Long-term Reanalysis. In: Vila-Concejo, A.; Bruce, E.; Kennedy, D.M., and McCarroll, R.J. (eds.), Proceedings of the 14th International Coastal Symposium (Sydney, Australia). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue, No. 75, pp. 1172 - 1176. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.
Storm surges are one of the biggest natural disasters. In Korea, which has many of its important cities on its coast and since three sides of the country are bordered by the ocean, surges have the potential to generate great economic and social damage. The main factors causing surges are typhoons and tropical atmospheric pressure. Korea is affected by an average of 3.1 typhoons annually. In this study, we aim to evaluate the vulnerability of the Korean peninsula to typhoons. The best information on the tracks of past typhoons was collected and the hazard calculated by interpreting the typhoons' degree of influence and magnitude. Vulnerability was also estimated by considering the effects on society and the economy. At this point in time, the evaluation was based on the Driving force-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework. This framework is a set of sustainable development indicators that reflects the social structure and capability, including national efforts to respond to direct or indirect damage and disasters. As a result of calculating the vulnerability to surge, the cities of Busan, Ulsan, and Tongyeong, which are all located on the southern coast of Korea, were estimated to be the places of primary vulnerability.