Hwasung City Conducts First National Drill on 'North Korean Refugee Protection'

Gyeonggi Province and Hwasung City conducted a 2026 Eulji Exercise provincial-level actual drill on the 19th at Hwasung City Agricultural Technology Center with the theme of North Korean refugee protection during wartime. The provincial-level representative drill serves as an occasion to verify emergency preparedness through actual drills conducted by each city and county.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae said ahead of the drill, "This is a meaningful occasion where we are conducting the nation's first actual drill on North Korean refugee protection," and added, "In times of national crisis such as war, safe movement and protection of civilians, in addition to military response, are important responsibilities that the state must fulfill."

The drill proceeded with topic presentations by relevant agencies including the Ministry of Unification and the Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command, followed by Gyeonggi Province's presentation on refugee shelter operation preparation and cooperation measures, and the Korean Red Cross's presentation on wartime refugee support measures.

Subsequently, drills were conducted including procedures for registering North Korean refugees rescued through nearby coastal areas at a temporary assembly point in Hwasung City, operational training at the temporary assembly point assuming situations such as refugee complaints about relief operations and civil unrest, and firefighting operations in case of fires caused by flammable materials.

Provincial and Hwasung City officials, military and police personnel, and fire and disaster management agencies deployed in the scenario verified organic inter-agency cooperation systems including suppression of unruly individuals, maintenance of order, and firefighting and decontamination, and practiced step-by-step response procedures appropriate to each situation.

Governor Choo Mi-ae emphasized after the drill concluded, "When we conduct emergency drills like this, everyone comes to appreciate the value of peace," and stated, "Security crises come without warning. Unprepared response only causes greater confusion. To protect peace, we must always train, cooperate, and stand in solidarity."