Have you ever seen a green sign on the wall of a subway station? It says "Civil Defense Shelter," and next to it there's also a red box with a glass door. A foreign student once asked me, "What is this? Did something happen?" This is a safety sign that is prepared in advance, just in case. ## The Green Shelter Sign Korea has been preparing for major disasters for a long time. So subway stations, apartment underground parking lots, and the basements of large buildings have been designated as shelters. This is because underground spaces are sturdy and can hold a lot of people. The signs often show the name along with the number of people the shelter can hold or its location. Koreans see them every day, so they hardly notice them. ## Red Emergency Equipment Box Inside the glass-doored box, there are usually emergency items such as gas masks, flashlights, and first aid supplies. They're also kept there for accidents like fires or spreading smoke. So it's not necessarily an item meant only for problems between countries. ## What Travelers Should Know - Don't open the equipment box as a prank. This is something that only people who are truly in a hurry should use. - If an accident happens, first follow the station staff's announcements and the guide's instructions. - Take a look at the exit signs in advance. - You can check the shelter nearest to where you are in the "안전디딤돌" app or on the Ministry of the Interior and Safety website. The app may change, so try searching for it. This sign is not frightening news, but a safety habit that has been prepared for a long time. Next time you ride the subway, try looking for it.