Suggesting a “Three-Ball Cycle” Theory on International Emergency Management and its Application in Korea

Abstract

This study proposes a “three-ball cycle” theory to the field of international emergency management and then applies it to Korea for the ultimate goal of contributing to the expansion of emergency management principles. Here, qualitative content analysis supported by multiple perspectives and metaphors has been utilized as a major methodology. Three-ball cycle theory refers to the circulation of the (a) rugby-ball phase, (b) the soccer-ball phase, and (c) the play-ball phase. As an illustrative case, this paper analyzes the Korean emergency management principles via six major emergencies, namely fire, flood accompanied by typhoon, food contamination, cyber attack, special events like accidents or catastrophes, and suicide. The major finding is that the international community needs to utilize the three-ball cycle theory as a new emergency management principle. Accordingly, Korea should change its current practice of adhering to the one- or two-ball cycle theory and resort to implementing the three-ball cycle theory.