Nighttime helicopter drill near Cheong Wa Dae stirs unease
Multiple helicopters flew over the Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Tuesday evening, prompting unease among some nearby residents as it coincided with President Lee Jae Myung’s trip to New York. The flights were part of a nighttime training exercise conducted by the Capital Defense Command, according to the Ministry of National Defense. The ministry explained that such drills are occasionally held when…
On Tuesday evening, multiple helicopters circled the Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, creating unease among nearby residents. The flights occurred during President Lee Jae Myung's trip to New York. The Capital Defense Command conducted the nighttime training exercise, which is sometimes held when the president is abroad. The Ministry of National Defense explained that such drills are occasionally necessary, but declined to provide further details about the specific purpose and flight routes of the exercise.
While the drill did not pose an immediate threat, the presence of numerous helicopters flying after dark raised concerns among residents. This unease was compounded by the recent martial law imposition on December 3, 2025, when a dozen helicopters had been seen flying to the National Assembly in Yeouido to arrest opposition leaders. One nearby resident reported that the helicopter noise was more frequent and louder than usual.
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- Nighttime helicopter drill near Cheong Wa Dae stirs unease koreatimes.co.kr
