Science ministry reviews preparations for annual Ulchi drill

The science ministry said it had reviewed readiness for the Aug. 18-21 Ulchi exercise, a public-private-military drill expected to involve about 32,000 people.

Held annually, the exercise is intended to test the effectiveness of the government's Chungmu Plan for national emergencies and strengthen preparedness. This year's program is planned as an integrated civilian-government-military exercise involving all citizens. Participants will include the ministry's headquarters, affiliated and subordinate organizations, and designated key-management companies.

The Ministry of Science and ICT set five priority tasks for the 2026 program, including stronger response capabilities at individual institutions during a national emergency and the ability to take integrated situational measures under a wartime scenario.

Participants will rehearse emergency call-ups and transitions to wartime procedures, discuss issues arising in a wartime situation and take part in table-top exercises addressing security threats based on the latest technology. Live drills will test the protection of nationally important facilities from GPS jamming and drones.

Bae Gyeong-hun, deputy prime minister and science minister, said, "Even amid unprecedented heat, I urge staff to pay attention to their personal safety and participate faithfully in the exercise to further strengthen national emergency preparedness."