Emergency blackout response drill set for today nationwide

By Yun Suh-young

An emergency response drill to cope with a potential blackout will be held for 20 minutes from 2 p.m. today throughout the nation.

During the drill, the power will be cut off in public buildings and private offices, shops, and individual households are encouraged to participate in the training voluntarily.

“We’re holding the drill to prepare for a planned power outage situation as it has become difficult to meet demands these days. We hope many citizens will participate in the training voluntarily,” said an official from the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

All cities are subject to participation in the drill. The Ministry of Knowledge Economy and National Emergency Management Agency are in charge of the training.

Unlike the civil defense training, the emergency response drill does not require citizens’ evacuation or traffic controls. Railways, subways and hospitals will operate as usual. The entire drill situation will be broadcast live through TV and radio.

When the drill begins, households are advised to halt usage of electricity by turning off air conditioners, electric fans, irons, and washing machines and offices are advised to turn off lights and the air conditioning system controlled by the central system.

Public buildings and hospitals will practice operating the emergency generator. Hospitals plan to conduct emergency transportation training of the seriously ill in preparation for an actual blackout situation. The welfare ministry made sure hospital operations will not be disrupted by the power outage at any level.