North Korea put Pyongyang on emergency alert after claiming that South Korea sent drones into the country on Oct. 11. The order came immediately after North Korea’s foreign ministry issued a “decisive statement” through state media, according to a source in Pyongyang.<\/p>\n
The statement accused South Korea of sending drones to drop propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang, including near the leadership headquarters, and ordered organizations to be on high alert. Calling it a grave provocation aimed at the country’s core, the government ordered the military and civil defense forces to prepare for combat to defend Pyongyang with their lives.<\/p>\n
Factory security guards and civil defense forces, including units of the Worker-Peasant Red Guards, at every organization and enterprise in Pyongyang, including small businesses, have been conducting emergency mobilization drills since Oct. 11, the source said.<\/p>\n
“The drills are scheduled to last for 10 days, but it was mentioned beforehand that the drills could be extended if necessary,” the source said.<\/p>\n
In addition, the authorities said that all citizens of Pyongyang should remain vigilant in their daily lives and that if they come across any leaflets or other suspicious items, they should not touch or look at them, but should immediately inform the authorities at their local state security department, police station, neighborhood watch unit or neighborhood government office.<\/p>\n
The Education Department of the Pyongyang People’s Committee has also instructed students in all schools in the country to report to the authorities any unusual objects they find without touching them. The department threatened the students that anyone who touches such items will face serious consequences.<\/p>\n
According to the source, residents of the capital pay little attention to North Korea’s periodic denunciations of the South. They briefly take note of the latest comments and then go about their normal routines.<\/p>\n
“The government is trying to reinforce the ideological conformity of the people by responding harshly and creating a sober atmosphere. But in private conversations with friends and family, Pyongyang’s citizens note that South Korea must have really made a lot of progress if it’s sending unmanned aircraft all the way to Pyongyang,” the source said.<\/p>\n