Olympics 2018: South Korean military exercises anti-terrorism operation

Preventing a bomb attack by a drone, defusing chemical weapons, ending hostage-taking: Shortly before the Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, the South Korean military prepared for the mega-event with a comprehensive anti-terrorism exercise. Numerous hazard scenarios were simulated, including the participation of special forces.

“After seeing this exercise, I am confident that there is no need to worry about terrorist attacks,”said South Korean Prime Minister Lee Nak-Yeon, but also pointed out that “accidents always happen where no one expects them to happen”.

Around 5000 soldiers will be deployed during the games. In order to protect itself from hacker attacks, the Organizing Committee engaged a private cyber security company.

The final preparations for the Winter Games are dominated by the conflict with North Korea:”If the North provokes at a time when the Olympic Games are imminent, it could be a fatal blow to the Games,”South Korea’s Secretary of Association Cho Myoung-Gyon said recently.

That is why it is important to “organise the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang in a stable atmosphere”, he added. Pyeongchang is only about 80 km from the North Korean border.

A renewed launch of a North Korean intercontinental missile two weeks ago triggered worldwide protests. North Korean ruler Kim Jong-un explained that the weapons will now be able to reach cities throughout the entire US territory.

According to media reports, South Korea wants to postpone regular military exercises with its allies until after the Games and the Paralympics in order not to provoke the dictator in the north.