South Korean troopers with 20mm vulcan cannon participate in an anti-drone drill in Yangju, South Korea, on this handout image offered by the South Korean Defence Ministry on December 29, 2022. The South Korean Defence Ministry/Handout by way of REUTERS/File Photo
SEOUL — South Korea is ready to carry its first nationwide air protection drills in six years on Wednesday amid North Korea’s rising nuclear and missile threats, with pedestrians required to take shelter and drivers requested to tug over in some areas.
The drills are a key component of the annual Ulchi civil protection workouts, held alongside the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, which South Korean and U.S. troops started on Monday, to enhance responses to a North Korean assault or different contingencies.
At 2 p.m., an air-raid siren will sound, calling for folks to get off the streets for about quarter-hour earlier than the alert is eased, in accordance with the inside and security ministry.
Pedestrians should go instantly a delegated shelter or close by underground area, whereas drivers in about 200 areas nationwide should pull to the aspect of the street. People in almost 500 supermarkets, film theaters and different public amenities will probably be guided to evacuate.
Medical establishments and public transportation will function usually.
Some neighborhood facilities close to residence complexes in Seoul introduced the deliberate drills with loudspeakers on Tuesday, asking residents to observe directions, which will probably be aired on the radio.
“The drills are meant to effectively respond to an actual air raid. Don’t be surprised and please find a nearby shelter,” the announcement mentioned.
In some areas bordering North Korea, residents are anticipated to face further situations, together with chemical, organic and radiological coaching, sporting a fuel masks and utilizing emergency meals rations, the ministry mentioned.
The Ulchi civil protection workouts had been launched in 1969 within the wake of a raid by North Korean commandos into the presidential compound in Seoul. There are about 17,000 shelters put in throughout the nation of 52 million.
But the air protection coaching has not taken place since 2017.
In late May, Seoul got here underneath hearth after it issued a false air raid alarm and evacuation warning following North Korea’s failed satellite tv for pc launch, although the capital was far off the rocket’s trajectory, triggering panic amongst some residents.
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