The government plans to launch geological undersea surveys to determine quake-safety levels around the Korean Peninsula next year, in the wake of this week's tsunami disaster in South Asia triggered by earthquakes.

The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries said Wednesday the government will spend a total of 9 billion won or 8.5 million dollars until 2010 on geological surveys and undersea exploration to study and monitor seismic activities and other risks around the Peninsula.

The Ministry said the undersea research will begin in the East Sea to find if coastline facilities are at risk.