S. Korea Plans to Launch First Civilian Nuclear Bunker
(MENAFN) South Korea is set to construct its inaugural civilian nuclear bunker beneath a public gymnasium in Seoul, according to media. The shelter will be situated under a sprawling apartment complex in the capital, city officials confirmed.
Officials cite escalating threats from North Korea’s military activities as a driving force behind the initiative, with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine also contributing to heightened security concerns, the news agency reported.
The bomb shelter will cover more than 2,100 square meters and accommodate up to 1,020 people. It is planned for the third basement level of a residential development slated for completion in 2028. The project includes 16 high-rise buildings and over 1,200 housing units.
The location, formerly the Seongdong Detention Center in Garak-dong, will be transformed into a dual-purpose space. The bunker will be equipped with advanced air filtration, clean water reserves, and waste management systems to sustain occupants for up to two weeks during nuclear, chemical, or biological emergencies. When not activated for crises, it will function as a public fitness facility.
An unnamed city official told media, “Because modern threats are different from those in the past, we’re launching this project to expand the role of civil defense shelters.” The official added, “We hope it will mark a new step toward better protecting citizens and improving Seoul’s security system.”
This development comes amid persistent tension between North and South Korea, which worsened during the previous administration. While there have been tentative moves to ease hostility—such as the mutual silencing of border loudspeakers—South Korea maintains a robust defensive posture against the North.
Last year, South Korea heightened military readiness after North Korea launched balloons filled with trash, a response to Pyongyang’s anger over anti-regime leaflets sent by defectors. Concurrently, Seoul increased joint military drills with the US, actions that North Korea condemned as invasion rehearsals. Pyongyang retaliated with multiple missile tests, underscoring the ongoing volatility in the region.
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