Choo Mi-ae: "Gyeonggi Province's Security is Korea's Security... Crisis Management Must Become a Turning Point"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae urged the establishment of firm security posture on the first day of the Eulji Drill, stating that "the ordinary daily lives of residents can only be protected under solid national security."

Governor Choo presided over the 2026 Eulji Drill's first situation briefing meeting held at the Wartime Integrated Situation Room at 8 a.m. on the 18th, saying "The Eulji Drill is a critically important training where civilians, government officials, and military personnel unite to inspect our crisis response capabilities in preparation for national emergencies such as wartime or contingencies, and solidify national emergency preparedness posture through realistic drills. Gyeonggi Province's security is Korea's security. There must be no complacency whatsoever regarding security," he emphasized.

Governor Choo continued, "Gyeonggi Province is a border region while simultaneously being the area with the highest concentration of Korea's population, serving as a key strategic location for national and military critical facilities, with more than 50% of the nation's military forces deployed here. I ask that you make utmost efforts to establish wartime emergency preparedness through the Eulji Drill to be held over three nights and four days starting today."

He added, "Please respond swiftly and decisively based on functional contingency plans, prioritize resident protection above all else, and ensure that administrative functions do not cease even during wartime. I hope that with the successful conclusion of the Eulji Drill, Gyeonggi Province's crisis management capabilities will advance to the next level."

The Eulji Drill is a nationwide emergency preparedness drill conducted at the whole-of-government level to protect the lives and property of citizens in the event of national emergencies such as war or terrorism.

Gyeonggi Province plans to conduct civil servant emergency mobilization, wartime organizational structure establishment drills, and resident movement drills in border areas on the 18th.

On the 19th, a North Korean refugee protection drill will be conducted as province-level practical training at the Hwaseong City Agricultural Technology Center, and on the 20th, a nationwide air raid preparedness civil defense drill will be held.

During the civil defense drill, when air raid sirens sound, residents should evacuate to nearby shelters, subway stations, underground parking lots, or basement spaces in large buildings. Drivers on controlled road sections can participate in actual fire truck and ambulance right-of-way drills under the guidance of drill personnel.