A Special Room in Israeli Homes, Safe Even When Bombs Fall

Chaewanbyeong, President of the Israel Korean Association, YTN Radio Interview
"Sabbath, a Quiet Day Worshiping at the Synagogue"

Chae Wan-byeong, the president of the Korean Association in Israel, currently staying in Jerusalem, Israel, stated, "Jerusalem is relatively safe, but it seems to be continuously and indiscriminately attacked in various ways." In particular, President Chae explained the unique structure of Israeli homes, mentioning that there are safe spaces even when bombs fall.

Since Koreans do not reside near the Gaza Strip, where the damage is severe, there have been no reported special cases of harm.

On the 10th, President Chae appeared on YTN Radio's 'News King Park Ji-hoon' and said, "Jerusalem is relatively safe because half of the population are Arabs who also hold Israeli citizenship. However, on the first day, the early morning of the 7th, when the airstrikes began, sirens sounded about 10 times in Jerusalem due to rocket attacks, and yesterday morning on the 9th, sirens sounded twice in Jerusalem."

Regarding the local atmosphere after the Israeli government officially declared war, he said, "Israel has experienced many large and small wars and violent conflicts, so there is no special agitation despite the war. However, since it is a war situation, all schools are temporarily closed, and most companies are also shut down."

Israel's air defense system 'Iron Dome' intercepted rockets launched from the Gaza Strip over the southern city of Ashkelon on the 8th (local time). Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News Agency

He continued, "According to the notices we have received, people are being advised to refrain from going out and to stay safely at home. Public transportation, important pharmacies, hospitals, and supermarkets are operating normally, and most streets are very quiet and deserted."

Regarding the surprise attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas at dawn on the 7th (local time), which was the Jewish Sabbath, he explained, "The 7th was exactly the 50th anniversary of the war in which Israel won the Middle East war in 1973. It seems they chose that date to reclaim the land they lost from their perspective."

President Chae said, "On the Sabbath, Jews stay at home, public transportation does not operate, all stores are closed, and families or religious people go to synagogues to worship. The surprise attack on such a quiet day seems to have caused greater damage."

Regarding the response of the local Korean community, President Chae said, "In Israel, all homes and buildings are required to have shelters. In homes, there is a specially designed room where, if you enter, you can be safe even if a bomb falls. Some buildings have shelters underground, so when sirens sound, people immediately go to the shelters and stay there until the sirens end, then resume normal life. We will follow the guidelines issued by the Korean government."