Structural Linkage Analysis of Legal Frameworks for Disaster and Emergency Medical Response and Directions for System Improvement

This study analyzed the structural linkages among three major Korean laws governing disaster medical response: the Emergency Medical Service Act, the Framework Act on the Management of Disasters and Safety, and the Medical Service Act. Although each law was developed with distinct objectives and institutional roles, differences in definitions, coordination structures, and regulatory scopes have contributed to inconsistencies in disaster medical operations. By examining domestic research and reviewing major disaster cases, this study identified areas in which fragmented legal provisions were associated with delayed coordination, unclear medical commands, and limited information sharing mechanisms. International standards and models, such as Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) in the United States, Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT), and the World Health Organization Emergency Medical Teams (WHO EMT), were also reviewed to provide comparative insights into system design and legal integration. Based on these findings, this study proposes key principles for strengthening legal coherence, including unified command arrangements, field-centered medical authority, integrated information systems, and balanced protection for healthcare personnel. The discussion further outlines policy directions for institutionalizing disaster medical functions and supporting a more consistent and coordinated national response system.