Seoul conducted a civil defense drill around 2 p.m. today. And, before anyone back home gets too alarmed, apparently it’s something they do quarterly and is not necessarily related to the events of the past week. Since we’re just entering our fourth month here, we were a little overdue for one.
It’s a good thing a coworker called me this morning about a work issue and happened to mention the drill in passing–it was scheduled to start around the time I come into the office–or the air raid sirens downtown might have freaked me out.
Of course, I hope I would have remained calm enough to notice that no one around me seemed the slightest bit concerned. I was the only one I saw who trotted off the street and into the underground shopping area around the subway station just to play along. (I have always followed instructions well.)
From what my coworker and others have told me, all traffic was supposed to be off the streets from 2 p.m. until 2:20 and all eletricity turned off. I think people are also supposed to be taking shelter during this time. But unless the civil defense instructions equate taking shelter with standing outside your office building and having a smoke, I don’t think this part of the drill was too successful.
I would feel really stupid about not knowing there was a drill coming up, if it weren’t for a lot of expats who’ve been here longer than we have and they didn’t know about it either. Although it was announced on Korean television and radio, notification didn’t seem to make it to the English-language media. I guess we’ll try not to read too much into that.
David, whose office is in the World Trade Tower, never heard about the drill either and says they didn’t hear sirens at all. Maybe the drill was just for the northern half of the city? I hope so, because leaving your financial center our of the civil defense plans doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence.
{ 8 comments }
Brian B 10.17.06 at 9:07 am
Funny, my experience with the drill was rather different. (I wrote about it on my own blogspace.) What was consistent however, was the general non-chalence of most people around me. I can’t decide if that’s comforting or worrisome.
seoulcat 10.17.06 at 10:28 am
The drill this time was obviously a bit stronger in voice than the most recent ones, due to the circumstances.
Up to the 90s before the Sunshine Policy, it was a monthly event. Sirens blasted, the drill broadcast on every single medium possible, streets were cleared, people ran to shelter, students crouched under their desks in ‘keep the head safe from falling debris’ handlock position; the whole nation came to a standstill for about 20 minutes. There were also drills at night when electricity had to be turned off completely; police and guards patrolled apartment complexes yelling into bullhorns, “Apartment #XYZ! Turn off your @#$%!! lights!”
A lot has changed over the years. Not only did every one have to stop and salute the Taegukgi as it was being raised in the morning and lowered in the evening while the Aegukga (national anthem) played, the Aegukga was played before every single movie (like a sports game in the States) as well. I can’t fully recall when that was officially stopped.
Having the nation came to a halt was getting too expensive, in my opinion; the victory of capitalism.
The nonchalance shouldn’t be that alarming - except for the kids who were born in the 90s and younger, we basically know what we have to do, and there would always be an “adult” to take charge in a real situation.
(I sound like an old fuddy-duddy but the evolution of Korean society is so damn fast-paced. There’s a saying that there’s a generation gap between twins.)
Jodi 10.17.06 at 2:05 pm
I was kind of surprised how so many people who are not new-comers to Korea were taken so off guard by these tests as I saw at the Marmot’s, even with the planes flying around. New comers I can understand but as others have been saying over there, these things happen regularily and yes, even with fighter jets. (At least down here on more than one occassion I have heard/seen them screaming overhead.)
I don’t know about Seoul but they actually stop traffic down here in some parts during these drills although no one goes to the basement in my office like they are supposed to.
I also know that every so often all the men in my office who are under 40 must report to work at 7 a.m. for roll call on certain days as a preparedness test. Some sort of civil duty or whatever.
Not sure how effective these “drills” are but everything from air drills to mobilization drills…they happen quite regularily here among the Koreans. I guess no need to be alarmed until you get that message on your phone from the Embassy telling you to tune into AFN or whatever the procedure is…
maryeats 10.17.06 at 11:26 pm
Wow, thanks for clearing that up. That alarm and those jets had Kevin and I at our living room window, looking up into the sky wondering if we should check the US Embassy’s website for information on the evacuation plan.
Cat 10.18.06 at 3:18 pm
Ah, the good old days. (*just kidding*). Still,it’s interesting to hear from people who’ve been through these before.
I agree, Jodi, that if you get that message from the embassy on your cellphone, that’s the time to worry.
Maryam in Marrakech 10.19.06 at 5:23 am
Frankly, this all sounds a little scary. Morocco seems, well, awfully quiet in comparison…
Rose Byrd 10.19.06 at 6:51 am
Cat, we always felt exactly like that when I worked for AF civil service during Vietnam war days–we just quickly and precisely responded correctly but always remained with bored looks on our faces,I’m sure!
annamatic 10.19.06 at 7:50 am
Ah, this happened last summer too… I had just arrived in Korea and was settling into our new apartment when I heard the sirens go off. Wasn’t sure if I was supposed to stay at home or go out, but since I didn’t see any crowds of running screaming people, I figured I was more or less safe. I must admit though, that it was a bit alarming, especially since at the time I had no idea who I might turn to to answer questions or ask for help…
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