Water rescue detection dog.
DAEGU, June 26 (Korea Bizwire) – As South Korea grapples with increasingly erratic weather due to climate change—marked by heatwaves and sudden torrential rains—specialized rescue dogs trained to detect human scent underwater are emerging as crucial assets in search and rescue missions during flood disasters.
Known as “water rescue detection dogs,” these highly trained canines possess an extraordinary sense of smell—at least 10,000 times more sensitive than that of humans—and can detect human scent buried up to 30 meters beneath the water’s surface. Their superior olfactory and auditory abilities allow them to operate in conditions that often challenge or even incapacitate high-tech equipment.
The role of these dogs has become more prominent in recent years, especially during South Korea’s monsoon season, which often brings severe downpours and flash floods, leading to an increase in missing person cases.
One such example occurred in August 2023, when Typhoon Khanun struck Daegu’s Dalseong County. A man in his 60s using a powered wheelchair went missing during heavy rainfall. Despite adverse conditions, two rescue dogs alerted to a specific area near the southern edge of Sangwon Reservoir, enabling authorities to narrow the search with sonar equipment and ultimately recover the victim.
In 2022, a similar success was recorded when a 60-year-old man went missing while collecting freshwater snails in the Pyeongchang River. A rescue dog located the man’s scent, leading to a swift and successful recovery.
The introduction of water rescue detection dogs in Korea traces back to the 2019 sinking of a tourist boat in Hungary. Footage of foreign canine units participating in the international recovery mission captured public attention and spurred South Korea’s own efforts to develop a similar capability.
Now, these dogs—trained by the National 119 Rescue Headquarters—regularly participate in drills and real-life operations across the country. On June 26, the dogs were seen undergoing underwater search training near the Nakdong River in Daegu’s Dalseong district.
As climate-related disasters become more frequent, experts say these canine teams are poised to play an increasingly vital role in saving lives and accelerating rescue efforts.
Image credit: Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
