12-16-2010 09:07 BJT Special Report:Tension soars on Korean peninsula |
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South Korea has staged a massive nationwide civil defense drill, where millions of residents, donned gas masks and sought refuge in shelters.
The exercises come amid heightened tensions, on the Korean peninsula following the deadly shelling of Yeonpyeong Island by the DPRK.
The drill took place on Wednesday, with air raid sirens sounding across the country.
As the exercise began, civilians were asked to take cover in nearby air raid shelters, subway stations or other designated underground facilities.
Traffic stopped for 15 minutes as drivers and pedestrians took part in the nationwide evacuation drill.
Classes were also suspended as students and teachers took shelter.
Kim Ee-Hwan, Middle School Student, said, "If a war really breaks out, I think it'll be frustrating. But if our students follow up well, I think we can evacuate well."
The National Emergency Management Agency said the nationwide drill was the first of its kind since a civil defense law was established in 1975.
Park Yeon-Soo, S. Korean Emergency Mangement Agency, said, "This exercise is meaningful, in that it is taking place at this time when the war threats are actually becoming real. Especially, I think it will be the largest size drill since the foundation of civil defense in 1975. It will be the largest exercise."
In some parts of the country, residents participated in a drill against chemical weapons.
South Korea has been conducting the drills eight times a year but Wednesday's drill was the first time since 2000 that citizens were guided to shelters.
Previous exercises had typically been limited to forbidding pedestrians from crossing roads and requiring cars to pull off to the side.
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