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| Seen in this photo is a collection of emergency items. They include combat rations, a self-powered radio and a first-aid kit. / Korea Times file |
By Lee Min-hyung
"Prepper," or a person who believes a catastrophic disaster will come in the near future, is emerging as a catchword in South Korea, amid growing military uncertainties over North Korea's missile and nuclear threats.
The number of doomsday pessimists is rapidly growing here, as is shown from the number of relevant YouTube videos and their views.
In particular, Kang Yoo-mi, a famous female comedian, has recently posted a video showing in detail how to pack a survival kit into a bag in case war breaks out. The video, posted a day after a North Korean missile test, topped 400,000 views in less than two weeks.
When typing "survival bag" in Korean on the video-streaming platform, more than 21,000 relevant videos, mostly uploaded in recent months, are found. This shows that the series of military provocations by Pyongyang in recent months has scared more and more people in South Korea.
"Sales of combat rations, self-powered radios and gas masks surge for a few days after a North Korean provocation," said Kim Hyun-tak, CEO of the outdoor and prepper goods store Hangangsa.
"The three are considered basic items in the case of war," he said. "While combat rations have steady popularity for the whole year, gas masks are rarely sold unless the North launches a missile or conducts a nuclear test. The pattern has been almost the same for many years."
Noodles are not regarded as the optimum emergency food by preppers, according to him. This is because they require a pot or gas to boil water, all of which may be unavailable in an emergency. Popular combat rations, however, come with self-heating meal packages, allowing people to enjoy foods in any emergency.
Other basic items used by preppers include Polar-shield sleeping bags, portable lanterns and emergency medical kits.
The Ministry of Public Administration and Security is also recommending people prepare a so-called go-bag for each house. The term refers to an emergency bag with essential items needed for an unexpected evacuation.
The ministry states each household should obtain processed food provisions for 15 to 30 days to prepare for possible war. It also urges households to pile up enough water, and blankets and clothes that can keep people warm. Other recommended accessories in time of war include a portable battery, gloves and personal hygiene products such as toothbrushes and towels, according to the ministry.
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