Page 85 - 2018 Defense White Paper

Civilian–government–military joint exercise to Exercise to respond to large-scale fire in densely
respond to large-scale fire (May 2018) concentrated multiuse facilities (May 2018)

Chapter 3
education and training mainly for commanding officers to thoroughly learn disaster and safety

management activities and procedures of conduct in contingencies.
In addition, the ROK Armed Forces has been bolstering its disaster response capabilities
through education and training as well as the establishment of a civilian–government–military
coordination system that enables systematic disaster management throughout all phases from

disaster prevention to preparation and recovery. The “working-level crisis response manual for
different types of disasters” has been updated, and the MND continues to use it in actual safety

exercises and then refines it by actively participating in the “Safe Korea Exercise” conducted
annually under the supervision of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS). 30) In May
2018, the MND hosted large-scale f ire response exercise in densely populated multi-use facilities
at a military dormitory located in Songpa-gu. The Songpa-gu district of fice and community

centers, f ire department, and police in the district participated in the exercise, which helped
strengthen the civilian–government–military joint disaster response system.
The Army, Navy, and Air Force operate a disaster control center in each unit at every level—

approximately 400 centers in total—and maintain emergency response systems and organic
cooperation with relevant agencies, including municipal governments and local fire stations, so
that they provide prompt support not only in disasters within the military but also in situations

requiring military assistance.
Furthermore, the MND organizes annual military-wide conference for disaster management

30) In 2018, a total of 15,800 troops participated in 296 sessions of civilian–government–military integrated training
to develop their situation-handling capability.

Section 4 Building a Proactive and Comprehensive Support System to Overcome National Disasters 83