South Korea is set to conduct a nationwide civil defense drill for the first time in six years, confirmed by Yonhap News Agency. The exercise will feature air strike simulations carried out across the country as part of the four day Ulchi civil defense program, which runs in tandem with the joint South Korea–United States military drills known as Ulchi Freedom Shield 2023. This coordinated effort brings together civilian readiness with large scale defense exercises, signaling a comprehensive approach to national security preparedness that encompasses both urban and rural regions.
The campaign marks the first of its kind since August 2017. The drill is scheduled to last about 20 minutes starting at 14:00 local time and will focus on civil evacuation readiness, including coordinated traffic management at 216 designated locations nationwide. In addition, exercises will test the orderly movement of emergency vehicles through the affected zones, ensuring that life-saving responses can be maintained even during heightened alert conditions. The exercise also emphasizes the importance of swift sheltering and rapid information dissemination to residents who may be in transit or at work when alarms sound.
At 2:00 p.m. an airstrike signal will be issued, prompting residents to proceed to the nearest shelter from a network of 17,000 prepared locations. These include private bunkers, basement spaces within buildings, underground shopping centers, and subway stations. Once in shelter, people are expected to remain inside until 14:15, with the possibility of returning to normal activities after 14:20. The drill is designed to simulate real-world decision making and safe-keeping during a potential air threat, reinforcing the public’s ability to act quickly and calmly under pressure and to follow official guidance issued through local authorities and national channels.
To minimize disruption to daily life, essential services such as hospitals, clinics, subways, railways, aircraft, ships, and other transportation modes will continue operating under normal procedures unless otherwise directed. Authorities aim to strike a balance between rigorous preparedness and maintaining public functioning. Additionally, 57 regions that were declared disaster zones due to heavy rains in July and the impact of Typhoon Hanoun are exempt from participation in the current cycle, reflecting a nuanced approach to resource allocation and response priority during periods of severe weather that affect infrastructure and mobility.
The event underscores a broader strategy that links civil defense readiness with national security exercises. It highlights how civilian alertness, infrastructure resilience, and interagency coordination are integrated to ensure continuity of services and public safety during emergencies. The plan also considers the diverse environments in which residents live, from dense urban centers to smaller communities, and aims to provide clear, actionable guidance that can be followed by people of all ages and backgrounds in the event of a real threat. The exercise is part of a long-standing commitment to public preparedness and demonstrates how drills can strengthen trust in governmental messaging and the reliability of emergency communications across the country.
In related regional developments, leaders have previously referenced the evolving security landscape and the potential for heightened tensions that could influence the design and emphasis of future drills. The ongoing dialogue among national authorities, allied partners, and local agencies reflects an understanding that civil defense is not a one-off event but a continuous process of readiness, education, and practical practice that keeps communities informed and prepared for a range of contingencies.