This study reviews the basics of earthquake preparedness from several archives and international cases of earthquake damage and restoration to establish an earthquake preparedness plan in Korean archives. The results of the study are as follows: first, to establish the direction of an earthquake preparedness plan, the study summarizes the basic characteristics of an earthquake and its damages, as well as applies the key elements of disaster preparedness planning after reviewing its basic principles. Second, the study analyzes four international cases that may have significant implications for the earthquake preparedness plan in Korea. Given this, four international cases present lessons and limitations such as the book dropping of a library in Japan, the collapse of archives in Germany, damaged archives because of a massive earthquake in New Zealand, and earthquake preparedness and recovery plans in cultural heritage sectors. Third, to apply the information from overseas cases to domestic, the study examines the lessons, the key elements of earthquake preparedness planning, and the public record standard for Korean archives through the mutual linking process, as well as issues that should be considered. The issues reviewed in this study could help Korean archives establish a realizable earthquake preparedness plan in the future.