A ballistic missile fired by North Korea entered the East Sea, traveled in the direction of Ulleungdo, and then crashed, triggering an automated air raid alarm to be sent to organizations associated to civil defense.
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| [North Korean ballistic missile launch] |
An air raid warning was issued across Ulleung, which is located in North Gyeongsang Province, after a ballistic missile from North Korea was fired into the East Sea. As a result, inhabitants were hurriedly evacuated to subterranean areas and other safe locations.
The Ulleung-gun that was published on February 2 said that air raid warning sirens began sounding at 8:55 a.m. on the day in question. The alarm sounded for between two and three minutes. Before reaching Ulleungdo, a missile launched by North Korea crashed into the open waters of the East Sea. The missile was traveling in the direction of Ulleungdo.
As the missile reached Ulleungdo, civil defense-related institutions that were connected to ballistic missile warning radars sent out an automated notice for an impending air attack.
As soon as the warning was given, authorities from Ulleung-gun and some of the citizens of the area quickly retreated to a location below. After the warning of an impending air strike was broadcast, the administrative agencies and police authorities immediately got to work attempting to assess the situation.
"The air raid siren sounded, and some of the personnel retreated to the basement since it was a serious emergency," stated an official from Ulleung-gun.
Because of the siren, a great number of locals and public authorities were uneasy and often checked the news on their mobile phones or televisions.
At exactly 9:08 in the morning, the warning of an impending air strike was reportedly cancelled.
According to a representative of the Ulleung-gun, "I first fled, and then I returned to my position to examine the facts."
An officer from the police department said, "The police cannot blast the siren in the Ulleung region, and I am aware that the military is responsible for the air raid alarm."