In 2022, South Korea recorded a total of 79 earthquakes, which is slightly above the average of 72.8 per year, but it's the lowest number of occurrences in the past three years. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) released a report detailing the statistics and characteristics of earthquakes that took place on the Korean Peninsula, attributing the decline in earthquake frequency to a reduction in seismic activity in the North Korean region and the East Sea. Notably, only four earthquakes that were felt by the public measured above 3.0 in magnitude, the lowest since 2007, including significant events like the 3.7 magnitude earthquake near Taean.

The report highlighted that of the earthquakes last year, 43 occurred inland while 36 were offshore, indicating a slightly higher rate of inland earthquakes, with South and North Korea having similar frequencies. The most significant number of inland earthquakes clustered around Daegu and Gyeongbuk (10 occurrences). This trend suggests that after a period of heightened seismic activity following the 2016 Gyeongju and 2017 Pohang earthquakes, the frequency is returning to pre-2016 levels, indicating a stabilization of geological conditions. The KMA has been closely monitoring these phenomena to inform safety measures.

The most powerful earthquake recorded last year occurred on May 5th at 7:53 AM, measuring at 3.7 magnitude off Taean, approximately 52 km from land, and tremors were felt as far as Incheon, Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Chungnam. There were two aftershocks recorded within a week following this event, indicating minimal ongoing seismic activity in that area. This relative quietness in seismic activity may provide both opportunities and challenges for disaster preparedness and urban planning in the region, emphasizing the ongoing need for monitoring and community education regarding earthquake readiness.