Civil Defense

Nothing like being late to work because of a civil defense drill.

Jack and I were on our way to pick up lunch at T.G.I.Fridays this afternoon. We were starving and were not in the mood for any more of the copious amounts of McDonalds we have had lately. We thought it would be nice to get something of worth for lunch. We left Landpia (our apt building) and caught the first cab we saw. As we headed to U-square we were stopped at a red light in Sangmu that is necessary to go through before getting on the highway. We sat for a few minutes and then I heard the sirens. I figured there had been a wreck. Ten more minutes passed and I motioned to the cab driver a car wreck and he nodded his head. (apparently he had no idea what I was trying to communicate) Time continued to drag on.

Jack and I decided that we should just get out of the cab and walk home since we still weren't too far away and we didn't want to be late for work. We paid the cab his rate and walked to the corner to catch a glimpse of the massive car wreck that apparently required several ambulances and about thirteen cop cars. As we approached the intersection we were shocked. There wasn't a single car in sight. Yes I am that person who wants to see the car wreck. I blame it on my former EMT dad. We looked around and saw a bunch of city officials dressed in beige.

Somehow over the course of our stay we have yet to observe this very common practice. On the fifteenth of each month there is a 민방위훈련 (min-bang-ui-hun-nyeon) or civil defense drill. In earlier years this would be more likened to the duck and cover drills of days gone by in America. A co-worker of ours told us he would hear the siren in school and would have to get under his desk until the all clear horn sounded. Sounds like fifties era America. This was within the last few decades here. The drills had let up under the former president. They still took place, but ducking and covering were not really the focus. They would conduct drills at busy intersections to prepare if there was an attack on the country. I was actually in shock. I think this is the first time in Korea I haven't seen a car or city bus run a red light. :)

Our co-worker Sean told us he didn't even think they were doing them anymore until we told him about our experience today. He blamed it on the uber conservative new President Lee. (who, by the way, I have yet to meet a person in Gwangju who likes him) His harsher stance towards the North really angers some Southern Koreans who still view the north as disconnected family. Regardless, the drills are back in place in Gwangju. We should expect to travel to both lunch and work on these days from here on out by foot.

It makes me feel safe to know they are super prepared if anything were to happen. Fifty or so years of running drills keeps you ready in case of emergency. :) While I know we are war ready if anything were to happen, I was still late to work. :( I wonder if there is a drill for that?


Here is a video of a typical civil defense drill. This was shot in Chongju, bu tit is very similar to what we saw today except we saw many more police cars, ambulances, and as we live near an air force base we heard the jets flying overhead. They also participate in the drills.

Lets just say if you didn't know what it was, it would scare the crap out of you. haha