Seoul – Prime Minister Han Duck-soo emphasized the need for enhanced government emergency preparedness in response to escalating threats from North Korea during a key meeting on Friday with central and local government officials.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the meeting focused on evaluating the outcomes of the recent Ulchi civil defense drill, which involved about 580,000 participants from over 4,000 government agencies and public institutions. The four-day exercise, held from August 19-22, simulated responses to wartime scenarios, including North Korean nuclear attacks, cyberattacks, GPS jamming, and provocations involving balloons filled with trash.

Prime Minister Han underscored the importance of readiness in light of North Korea's intensifying threats, directing officials to rectify any deficiencies in warning systems and evacuation facilities exposed during the drills. This year's exercise was notably the first to include simulations of a nuclear attack by North Korea, marking a significant escalation in the realism and urgency of the training.

The Ulchi exercises, which began in 1968 after a North Korean commando raid on the presidential residence in Seoul, continue to play a critical role in preparing South Korea for a range of security threats, emphasizing the government's commitment to safeguarding national security and public safety.