Gunpo Mayor Han Dae-hee led a joint civil-private training exercise for air raid preparedness on August 20, reaffirming that "protecting the lives and property of citizens is the top priority."
During the exercise at E-Mart Sanbon, which was part of the 2026 Ulchi Training, Mayor Han conducted a demonstration of evacuation procedures for multi-use facilities in the event of an air raid.
The training aimed to enhance the response capabilities of both citizens and officials in real air raid situations. It was organized as part of a nationwide civil defense drill to ensure that people can evacuate quickly and orderly from crowded public spaces.
Mayor Han's direct involvement in the training drew attention as he oversaw the exercise on-site.
At 2 p.m., an air raid siren sounded, prompting shoppers and staff at E-Mart Sanbon to stop their activities and follow the guidance of evacuation personnel to designated safe areas.
The exercise simulated evacuation routes and emergency response procedures within the facility, allowing participants to experience a realistic scenario.
Mayor Han also moved through the evacuation routes alongside citizens, observing the overall response system and evacuation process.
The focus was on understanding how citizens would react in a real disaster and how relevant agencies and facility staff should respond.
Participants expressed agreement on the necessity of air raid preparedness training. One citizen remarked, "I had always thought vaguely about where to evacuate when the air raid siren sounded, but experiencing it today helped me understand the evacuation process better. I hope there will be more of these drills, especially since I use these facilities with my children."
Another participant noted, "In places where many people move at once, orderly evacuation is crucial. I believe this will be helpful in actual disaster situations."
Mayor Han stated, "Through this training, we have assessed the emergency response system for multi-use facilities and strengthened the community safety net based on civil-private cooperation. I thank the citizens and E-Mart Sanbon staff for their active participation in the drill."
Looking ahead, Mayor Han plans to continuously evaluate disaster response systems in multi-use facilities and enhance safety policies that citizens can feel.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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