South Korea launches Hwarang drills to boost civil defense readiness
· UPIApril 6 (Asia Today) -- South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said Monday it has launched the annual Hwarang Exercise to strengthen integrated civil defense operations in rear areas during both peacetime and wartime.
The drills begin Monday in the Daegu and North Gyeongsang region and will run through Thursday before expanding to other regions, including Jeju, Busan and Ulsan, Gangwon, North Jeolla and North Chungcheong, continuing through November.
Participants include local governments, police, fire authorities and personnel responsible for critical national infrastructure.
The exercise, held under the Integrated Defense Act, has been conducted regularly at the provincial level since 1977. It is designed to rehearse implementation procedures for integrated defense plans, assess readiness and raise public awareness of security.
The Joint Chiefs said this year's drills will focus on response procedures for emergencies such as drone attacks targeting key infrastructure, including energy facilities, reflecting discussions from a recent national defense meeting.
Officials said the exercise will simulate complex, real-world crisis scenarios tailored to each region, with participation from all elements of the national defense system.
Jin Young-seung, head of the Integrated Defense Headquarters, said the drills aim to strengthen coordination among regional defense units and ensure the protection of lives and property in times of crisis.
-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260406010001459