Seoul under fire for issuing ‘wartime alert’ over North Korean satellite launch

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Seoul under fire for issuing ‘wartime alert’ over North Korean satellite launch

Experts say sirens and evacuation warnings don’t reflect real danger and risk eroding public trust in alert system

Chad O'Carroll May 31, 2023

Seoul under fire for issuing ‘wartime alert’ over North Korean satellite launch

The emergency alert text sent to Seoul residents on Wednesday morning | Image: NK News

Seoul awoke early Wednesday morning to blaring air raid sirens and “wartime alert” messages sent to all mobile phones, advising the capital’s 10 million recipients to prepare to evacuate.

“At 6:32 a.m. today, a warning is issued for the Seoul area,” the Korean-language “presidential alert” read. “Please prepare to evacuate and give priority to children and the elderly to evacuate first.”

About the Author

Chad O'Carroll

Chad O'Carroll is the founder of NK News/NK Pro and related holding company Korea Risk Group. In addition to being the group's CEO, O'Carroll is a frequent writer and commentator about the Koreas, having written about the two nations since 2010. He has visited the DPRK multiple times, worked and lived in Washington, D.C. with a focus on peninsula issues, and lived in the ROK since 2016.

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