One Step Closer to a 'Dementia-Free City'... Yeongju Holds Missing Prevention Drill

On June 12, the Yeongju City Dementia Safety Center held the '2025 Dementia Overcoming Missing Prevention Project' for local residents in the Namwoncheon area of Punggi-eup.

Yeongju City Dementia Safety Center is conducting the '2025 Dementia Overcoming Missing Prevention Project' at Namwoncheon in Punggi-eup. Photo by Yeongju City

This project was organized to prevent elderly people with dementia from going missing in advance and to establish a cooperative system that enables the local community to respond together in the event of similar situations. Now in its second year, following last year’s event, this year’s program focused on practical training with active resident participation, receiving a positive response.

Han Kiwoong, a broadcaster well known for the TBC program 'Singsing Gohyang Byeolgok,' appeared in a missing prevention situational play, naturally raising awareness about dementia. The subsequent resident-participatory wandering response drill simulated the entire process from discovering a missing person, reporting to 112, to providing protection and handing over to authorities, thereby helping residents develop practical response capabilities for real-life situations.

Relevant organizations, including Yeongju Police Station, Yeongju Fire Station, Punggi-eup Administrative Welfare Center, Gyeongbuk Northern Elderly Protection Agency, and Yeongju City Elderly Care Hospital, also participated in the event. This provided an opportunity to review the missing person response manual and further strengthen the cooperative system.

In addition, supplementary programs for seniors, such as pre-registration of fingerprints (in cooperation with the police) and CPR experience (operated by the fire station), were also offered, providing both practical information and hands-on opportunities.

Kim Moonsu, head of the Yeongju City Dementia Safety Center, stated, "We will continue to do our best together with the local community to create an environment where both elderly people with dementia and their families can live with peace of mind," adding, "We will make ongoing efforts toward making Yeongju City a place where dementia is not a cause for worry."