Steep-slope inspections near schools to be mandatory twice a year under revised law

Provincial and city education offices and public schools will be added as designated managers of steep slopes near schools, and will be required to inspect such slopes at least twice a year and report the results to local governments under a revised law aimed at improving student safety.

The Ministry of Interior and Safety said Tuesday that the Cabinet approved an amendment to the Act on Prevention of Disasters in Steep-Slope Areas.

Under the amendment, provincial and city education offices, district education support offices, and national and public schools are added as managing bodies for steep slopes near school grounds to better protect students from slope-related hazards.

These institutions will be required to inspect steep slopes under their jurisdiction at least twice a year and notify local governments of the results.

Fines for failing to comply with emergency response orders and urgent safety directives — measures directly tied to public safety — will also rise from 2 million won ($1,300) to 5 million won.

The ministry said the amendment will take effect one year after its promulgation, and that it plans to complete any necessary regulatory revisions required under the new law before then.

"This amendment to the steep-slope law is intended to ensure student safety by managing steep slopes near schools in a more systematic way," Minister of Interior and Safety Yun Ho-jung said. "The government will continue to actively identify risk factors that threaten the lives and safety of the public and pursue institutional improvements to address them."