This chapter introduces the seismotectonic setting and seismic risk context of the Republic of North Macedonia (RNM). Situated in the Western Balkans, RNM is exposed to moderate to high seismic hazard due to ongoing extensional tectonics and has experienced numerous damaging earthquakes, including twelve events with ML ≥ 6.0 during the last century. The chapter adopts the UNISDR risk framework and emphasizes that, despite four commonly distinguished risk components (hazard, exposure, vulnerability and capacity), they can be conceptually grouped into the natural environment, which cannot be controlled, and the policy environment, which shapes exposure, vulnerability, and capacity through regulations and standards. It briefly reviews the historical role of seismic design codes, concrete and foundation standards, and their accompanying seismic zoning maps in controlling the seismic safety of the built environment. Finally, the chapter outlines the objectives and organization of the monograph, setting the scene for the systematic review of official regulations, zoning maps, and research studies presented in the subsequent chapters.