Advisory/Warning
Overview
An advisory/warning (주의보, Advisory/Warning) is a stage in the official warning system issued to inform the public of potential risks in advance and encourage preparedness across various fields such as weather, disaster, and safety. Generally, an 'advisory' is a lower level than a 'warning,' issued for relatively mild risks or localized/temporary hazardous situations, guiding citizens to take safety measures on their own. In South Korea, agencies such as the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS), and the National Fire Agency issue advisories for their respective fields, with issuance criteria and dissemination systems strictly managed according to laws and guidelines.
Main Content
Weather Advisories
The KMA issues advisories for various weather phenomena including typhoons, heavy rain, heavy snow, strong winds, wind waves, heatwaves, cold waves, dryness, and yellow dust. For example, a heavy rain advisory is issued when 3-hour rainfall is expected to be 60mm or more, or 12-hour rainfall is expected to be 110mm or more. A heavy snow advisory is issued when 24-hour fresh snowfall is expected to be 5cm or more, and a heatwave advisory is issued when the daily maximum perceived temperature is expected to be 33°C or higher for two or more consecutive days. Each advisory is immediately disseminated via TV, radio, emergency broadcast system (CBS), the internet, and social media upon issuance, and citizens are advised to follow action guidelines such as refraining from going out, inspecting facilities, and protecting crops.
Disaster and Safety Advisories
MOIS and the National Fire Agency issue advisories for natural disasters (earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, etc.) and social disasters (fires, collapses, traffic accidents, chemical accidents, etc.). An earthquake advisory is issued when an earthquake of magnitude 3.0 to 4.9 occurs, and a tsunami advisory is issued when a tsunami height of 0.5 to 1.0 meters is expected. Additionally, a 'fine dust advisory' may be issued when emergency reduction measures for fine particulate matter are implemented. Disaster advisories are issued differentially by region, and upon issuance, residents should take actions such as confirming shelter locations, preparing emergency supplies, and refraining from moving vehicles.
Health and Environment Advisories
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and the Ministry of Environment issue advisories for infectious diseases, ozone, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, water quality, etc. An ozone advisory is issued when the hourly average concentration is 0.12 ppm or higher, and the elderly and those with respiratory conditions should refrain from going out. A UV advisory is issued when the UV index is 8 or higher. Additionally, during outbreaks of new infectious diseases such as COVID-19, an 'infectious disease advisory' is issued, leading to strengthened quarantine measures and activation of medical response systems.
Legal and Institutional Framework of Advisories
In South Korea, the issuance of advisories is based on laws such as the 'Framework Act on the Management of Disasters and Safety,' the 'Weather Act,' and the 'Countermeasures against Natural Disasters Act.' Each agency clearly defines issuance criteria, dissemination methods, and cancellation criteria. When an advisory is issued, local governments activate disaster and safety countermeasure headquarters and check emergency contact networks. Unlike warnings, advisories often do not involve mandatory evacuation orders, but they play a crucial role in encouraging voluntary cooperation from the public.
Difference Between Advisory and Warning
An advisory is a lower-level alert than a warning, issued when there is a possibility of risk but severe damage is not yet expected. For example, a typhoon advisory is issued when a typhoon is expected to affect the area within 24 hours, while a typhoon warning is issued when direct impact is expected within 12 hours. A warning requires stronger preparedness and immediate action compared to an advisory.
Recent Trends
Due to climate change in 2024–2025, extreme weather events have become more frequent, leading to an increase in the number and intensity of advisory issuances. Since 2024, the KMA has strengthened the issuance criteria for 'heatwave advisories' and 'cold wave advisories,' introducing more detailed standards that reflect perceived temperature and duration. Additionally, AI-based prediction models have been adopted to improve the accuracy and timeliness of advisory issuances. In 2025, the 'digital emergency message' system was enhanced to provide location-based customized information when advisories are issued, and multilingual support was expanded to strengthen the safety of foreign residents and tourists. Notably, a 'flood advisory' was newly established for urban flood preparedness, and the issuance criteria for 'wildfire advisories' were lowered due to increased wildfire risk. Furthermore, real-time monitoring and forecasting systems for air pollution advisories such as fine dust and ozone have been upgraded, allowing citizens to check them immediately via smartphone apps.
Related Topics
- [[Weather Special Warning]]
- [[Disaster Warning]]
- [[Climate Change]]
- [[Safety Management]]
- [[Natural Disaster]]
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