[News Terms] 'Minbangong Training' Resuming in May

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] 'Civil Defense Drill' is a defense training conducted by civilians to prepare for various emergencies that occur during enemy air raids. It can be seen as a sub-concept of 'Civil Defense Training,' a series of organized civilian defense activities established to protect the lives and property of the people from enemy armed invasion or natural disasters.

On August 24 last year, public officials are conducting a civil defense evacuation drill at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Civil Defense Training originally referred to civilian protection activities in preparation for disasters caused by war, but recently it has come to include a wide range of protection, rescue, and recovery activities that respond not only to minimize war damage but also to natural and man-made disasters other than war.

The beginning of Korea's civil defense system dates back to January 1951, when the Civil Defense Headquarters and branches in each province were established under the Martial Law Command of the Ministry of National Defense. Since January 1972, the 15th of every month has been designated as 'Air Defense and Firefighting Day,' during which civil defense drills have been conducted. On June 27, 1975, the 'Regulations on Civil Defense Day' were enacted by presidential decree, followed by the enactment and promulgation of the 'Basic Civil Defense Act' in July, and the nationwide establishment of civil defense units in September.

On the 8th, the government announced at the '56th Central Integrated Defense Meeting' presided over by President Yoon Suk-yeol that a nationwide civil defense drill will be conducted in May. The last nationwide civil defense drill was in August 2017. This marks the resumption of nationwide drills after six years.

The civil defense drill proceeds in the order of air raid warning, alert warning, and warning cancellation over 20 minutes. The air raid warning is issued when there is an air raid by enemy aircraft or bombardment by long-range artillery, during which a siren sounds a wailing tone for 3 minutes, and warning broadcasts are made via radio, TV, and loudspeakers. Alerts are also sent via mobile phone text messages to enhance immediate evacuation effectiveness. When the air raid warning is issued, civilian evacuation and traffic control are conducted for 15 minutes.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is practicing cardiopulmonary resuscitation during a civil defense evacuation drill held on August 24 last year at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The alert warning is issued when an enemy attack is anticipated, during which a siren sounds a steady tone for 1 minute, and warning broadcasts are made via radio, TV, and loudspeakers. When the alert warning is issued, a 5-minute alert posture is maintained, and people must leave shelters and listen to live broadcasts. The warning cancellation is issued vocally, and when it is announced, normal work resumes.