Citizens nationwide participate in civil defense drill as part of Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise

The Korean Air Force on Thursday conducted a nationwide civil defense drill as part of the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise to prepare for potential air raids.

Children take part in a civil defense drill, donning safety hats as they evacuate a kindergarten in Suseong District, Daegu, on Thursday. The Air Force conducted a nationwide drill on Thursday as part of the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise to prepare for potential air raids. [NEWS1]

Civil servants at the Central Government Complex in Jongno District, central Seoul, participate in a civil defense drill by evacuating to an underground shelter on Thursday. [YONHAP]

The Korean Air Force on Thursday conducted a nationwide drill as part of the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise to prepare for potential air raids.

The Air Force said it would launch an air raid civil defense drill at 2 p.m. Thursday to simulate an enemy aircraft attack.

Seven fighter jets — including F-15Ks, KF-16s, F-5s and T-50s — flew across the country to render the evacuation drill more realistic.

Children at a kindergarten in Daegu's Suseong District participated in the drill by donning safety hats as they took part in an evacuation.

Civil servants at the Central Government Complex in Jongno District, central Seoul, also participated in the drill by evacuating to an underground shelter.

BY WOO JI-WON [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]