Hwaseong Conducts First National Drill on 'North Korean Refugee Protection'
Gyeonggi Province and Hwaseong City conducted a 2026 Eulji Exercise provincial-level practical drill on North Korean refugee protection in wartime on the 19th at the Hwaseong Agricultural Technology Center. The provincial representative drill is an occasion to examine emergency preparedness posture through practical drills by individual municipalities and counties.
Governor Choo Mi-ae of Gyeonggi Province said ahead of the drill, "This is a meaningful occasion where we are conducting the nation's first practical drill on the theme of North Korean refugee protection." She added, "In national crises such as war, the nation must not only respond militarily but also fulfill the important duty of ensuring the safe movement and protection of civilians."
The drill proceeded with subject presentations by related agencies including the Unification Ministry and the Combined Forces Command, followed by Gyeonggi Province's presentation on refugee shelter operation preparations and cooperation plans, and the Korean Red Cross's presentation on wartime refugee support measures.
Subsequently, drills were conducted assuming a wartime situation, including procedures for registering North Korean refugees rescued via nearby coastal waters at a temporary assembly point in Hwaseong City, operations and situation response training at the temporary assembly point assuming complaints and civil unrest over partial refugee relief situations, and fires resulting from flammable substance accidents.
Provincial and Hwaseong City officials, military and police personnel, and firefighting authorities deployed in the scenarios examined organic inter-agency coordination systems including suppressing civil unrest, maintaining order, and fire suppression and decontamination, and practiced step-by-step response procedures suited to each situation.
After completing the drill, Governor Choo Mi-ae said, "When we conduct emergency drills like this, everyone realizes the value of peace," emphasizing, "Security crises give no warning. An unprepared response only causes greater chaos. To protect peace, we must always train, cooperate, and stand together."