Characteristics of ground subsidence in Korea based on data from the Underground Safety Information System: Implications for effective countermeasures

초록

Recently, growing concern has emerged regarding frequent ground subsidence (commonly referred to as sinkholes) occurring in urban areas across Korea. This study statistically analyzed 1,433 cases of ground subsidence recorded between 2018 and May 2025 in the national Underground Safety Information System operated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The analysis focused on temporal and spatial distribution, causes, dimensions, and geological context. Results revealed that most incidents occurred during the summer months, particularly in August, and were concentrated in major metropolitan areas such as Gyeonggi, Seoul, Gwangju, and Busan. The leading cause was identified as sewer pipe damage due to aging infrastructure. Most events occurred at shallow depths (<2 m) and in small areas (<10 m2), while larger sinkholes were closely associated with underground construction, notably tunnel excavation. Case studies confirmed that comprehensive subsurface investigations and groundwater monitoring are more effective countermeasures than simply replacing old pipelines. This research provides foundational insights for formulating effective policies and preventive strategies for underground safety management in urban environments.

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