2nd-highest alert level issued over nuke summit period

The South Korean armed forces are known to have issued “Jindogae,” a military alert against North Korean espionage operations and provocations, across Seoul last week when the capital hosted the Nuclear Security Summit.

A military source in Seoul said the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff issued “Jindogae 2” from March 23, three days before the opening of the global event, through March 28, the day after the event ended, across Seoul. The three-phase alert, with "1" being the highest, is issued when the North launches a provocation or sends armed spies to the South.

If Jindogae 2 is issued, the South Korean military and police join forces at checkpoints in major areas and raise joint readiness to brace for enemy infiltrations and provocations.

A high-ranking military official in Seoul said, “We issued the Jindogae alert to prepare for North Korean provocations and bombing attacks by terrorists and smooth operations of armed forces,” adding, “It’s unusual to issue the alert in all parts of Seoul.”

Intelligence staff of U.S. forces in South Korea equipped with high-tech intelligence capabilities stayed in Seoul over the seven-day period to provide information on the movements of North Korean armed forces to the South Korean military in real time, according to the South Korean military.

The U.S. intelligence unit delivered to South Korean commanders not only signals and imagery intelligence gathered with devices to monitor North Korea but also military intelligence on Pyongyang collected by high-tech U.S. intelligence facilities such as spy satellites and airborne warning and control systems.

A South Korean military source said, “South Korean and U.S. military intelligence units against North Korea established a cooperation system in the closest and speediest manner. By doing so, we contributed to the successful hosting of the global event in which more than 50 heads of state attended.”

In addition, more than 27,000 South Korean soldiers, including more than 9,000 elite troops, were assigned to a land security headquarters to conduct security operations across Seoul. A week before the event, they joined anti-terrorism operations in more than 360 places in Seoul, including major skyscrapers and subway stations and throughout the Han River.

Soldiers dressed in civilian clothes also rode bicycles around the Han River around the clock to prepare for bombing attacks by terrorists using model airplanes. Others stood guard inside common ducts 15 meters underground to prevent sudden enemy infiltrations.

The land security headquarters in Seoul distributed newsletters on the activities of well-performing soldiers to its subordinate units to instill a sense of pride in soldiers and get them to pay full attention to their duties.

The military source said, “The security operations boosted soldiers’ sense of pride and public trust in the military.”

The security operations also produced collateral benefits. Soldiers joining the operations saved lives or apprehending criminals.

Captain Im Seung-gi of the 52nd Division, who patrolled a wharf of the Han River on March 22, saved a 30-something woman who tried to drown herself. Corporal Hong Seok-nam of the 702 Commando Regiment rescued a drunk man who fell onto the tracks at the Seongbuk subway station March 24.

Soldiers also saved people who got locked inside underground shops, a person whose leg was caught by an elevator door, and a woman who collapsed at a subway station.

Seo Min-woo, a staff sergeant of the 705 Commando Regiment, arrested an alleged sexual molester at the Shinchon subway station March 26. Choi Won-soon, a private first class of the 203 Commando Regiment, arrested a thief at a convenience store near the Garak Market subway station March 24.

ysh1005@donga.com