Journal of the Society of Disaster Information ISSN:1976-2208(Print) 2671-5287(Online) 한국재난정보학회논문집

Purpose: This study investigates institutional limitations of Korea’s underground flood prevention standards in the context of increasing extreme rainfall. By reviewing advanced international cases, particularly those from Japan, the research aims to propose feasible measures that can operate effectively in practice. Method: A comparative analysis was conducted between Korea’s current standards and systems in Japan, the UK, and the US. The review considered legal frameworks, technical requirements, and operational mechanisms. Case-based evidence was used to extract lessons on performance-based regulation, product certification, and integrated evacuation planning. Result: The analysis identified three key strategies for advancement: (1) systematic detailing of facility maintenance standards to ensure operational reliability, (2) introduction of a performance verification and certification system to objectively guarantee facility safety, and (3) establishment of optimal evacuation route criteria to prioritize human safety alongside structural protection. Conclusion: The proposed framework shifts Korea’s flood prevention approach from declarative and reactive measures to proactive, performance-based disaster management. By integrating maintenance, certification, and evacuation planning, the study provides practical directions for enhancing reliability and field applicability of standards. These findings offer policy relevance for ongoing revisions to national regulations and highlight the need for future research on test methodologies, digital twin validation, and cost–benefit assessments.