In August 2002, Typhoon Rusa made its way towards South Korea, bringing with it catastrophic winds and torrential rains. Originating in the Pacific Ocean, Rusa swelled into a powerful storm that eventually made landfall with wind gusts recorded at over 150 kilometers per hour, leading to widespread flooding and destruction. The typhoon was characterized by its rapid intensification, leaving little time for residents to prepare for its impact. Coastal provinces were hit particularly hard, with the city of Busan experiencing some of the worst effects, as rainfall led to landslides and infrastructure failures.

The aftermath of Typhoon Rusa revealed extensive damage, particularly in the southern regions of South Korea. Over 236 people lost their lives, while thousands more were displaced due to the destruction of homes and evacuation of communities. Emergency response units were deployed, but the scale of the disaster overwhelmed local resources. Recovery efforts included rebuilding homes and restoring essential services like electricity and water supply. The government faced criticism for its inadequate disaster preparedness, highlighting the need for improved infrastructure and emergency management protocols.

This event was particularly significant not just for its immediate destruction, but for the long-term implications it had on how South Korea approached disaster management in the future. The lessons learned from Typhoon Rusa prompted a reevaluation of emergency planning and response systems to better prepare for similar events in an increasingly unpredictable climatic landscape.