On August 20, 2025, fire trucks from the Jongno Fire Station in Seoul drive along Sejong-daero as part of a nationwide drill to clear the way for emergency vehicles, conducted in conjunction with the Ulchi civil defense exercise.
SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea conducted a nationwide civil defense drill on Wednesday, simulating an air raid to test public readiness and improve emergency response measures.
The 20-minute exercise, organized by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, began at 2 p.m. with air raid sirens, followed by a staged alert and all-clear sequence.
Civil Defense Drills Unfamiliar to Foreigners
Citizens were instructed to remain calm, tune in to live radio broadcasts, and move quickly to designated shelters — including subway stations, underground malls, and apartment parking garages.
Roughly 17,000 such facilities have been designated nationwide, with their locations accessible through major navigation apps such as Naver, KakaoMap, and T Map.
Fire Truck Right-of-Way Drill Linked to Civil Defense Training
This year’s drill placed special emphasis on clearing the way for emergency vehicles. Drivers were required to signal awareness with hazard lights and then make way for fire trucks or ambulances — moving to the far right on single-lane roads or creating a central passage on multi-lane roads.
Fire departments across the country designated specific stretches of road to practice the maneuver, which authorities say is critical during real crises.
On August 20, during a nationwide civil defense drill simulating an air raid, police control traffic on Sejong-daero in Seoul after an air raid siren was issued.
Limited traffic controls were also enforced in central Seoul, including around Sejong-daero and Sungnyemun, for five minutes during the drill. Navigation services provided real-time detour guidance.
Foreign residents and visitors were offered instructions in five languages — English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Thai — via the government’s Emergency Ready App.
On August 20, during a nationwide civil defense drill simulating an air raid, a fire truck moves along Sejong-daero in Seoul after the air raid siren was issued.
Essential services such as hospitals, rail, air, and maritime transport continued normal operations. Regions recently hit by wildfires and heavy rains were exempt from participation.
“Civil defense training is about protecting the lives and safety of ourselves and our families in a crisis,” said Jang Han, director of civil defense policy. “We also hope today’s focus on yielding to emergency vehicles helps instill this culture into everyday life.”
Image credit: Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
