What will happen during South Korea’s nationwide civil defense drill on Thursday?

The drill will simulate an enemy air raid and last 20 minutes across the country. It will proceed in the order of an air raid warning, a preliminary warning and an all-clear.

When should people evacuate during the nationwide civil defense drill in South Korea?

People must evacuate to the nearest civil defense shelter or a nearby underground space when the air raid siren sounds at 2 p.m. At 2:15 p.m., they may leave shelters but must remain alert until the warning is lifted at 2:20 p.m.

Where can people find civil defense shelters and drill information in South Korea?

About 17,000 shelters have been designated nationwide, including underground parking lots, subway stations and underground shopping malls. Foreigners can also check the drill schedule and shelter locations in 22 languages through the Emergency Ready App.

Nationwide civil defense drill slated for Thursday

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Summary

The interior ministry said Wednesday that a nationwide civil defense drill simulating an enemy air raid will be held across South Korea for 20 minutes starting at 2 p.m. Thursday. The drill will run through an air raid warning, a preliminary warning and an all-clear. People must move to shelters at 2 p.m., may leave shelters at 2:15 p.m. but stay alert, and the drill ends at 2:20 p.m. Major facilities will operate normally, and foreign residents can check schedules and shelters in 22 languages through the Emergency Ready App.

Key Facts

Civil defense shelters have been designated at about 17,000 locations nationwide, including underground parking lots at apartment complexes, subway stations and underground shopping malls.
The drill will begin with an air raid warning at exactly 2 p.m., followed by a preliminary warning at 2:15 p.m. and an all-clear at 2:20 p.m.
Major facilities such as hospitals, subways, railways, aircraft and ships will operate normally during the drill.
Foreigners can get drill schedule and shelter-location information in 22 languages through the Emergency Ready App, including English, Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 19, 2026 2:52 pm KST

People head to a subway station during a civil defense drill in Seoul, Aug. 20, 2025. Korea Times photo by Choi Ju-yeon

The interior ministry said Wednesday that a nationwide civil defense drill simulating an enemy air raid will be conducted later this week.

The drill will take place across the country for 20 minutes starting at 2 p.m. Thursday, the ministry said.

The drill will proceed in the order of an air raid warning, a preliminary warning and an all-clear, the ministry added.

When the air raid siren sounds at exactly 2 p.m., people must evacuate to the nearest civil defense shelters or a nearby underground space. When the preliminary warning is issued at 2:15 p.m., they may leave the shelters and move around but must remain alert.

The drill will end when the warning is lifted at 2:20 p.m. Civil defense shelters have been designated at approximately 17,000 locations nationwide, including underground parking lots at apartment complexes, subway stations and underground shopping malls.

To help minimize public inconvenience, major facilities, such as hospitals, subways, railways, aircraft and ships, will operate normally even during the drill, the ministry said.

Foreigners can receive information on the drill schedule and shelter locations in 22 languages, including English, Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese, through the Emergency Ready App.

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