Gangdong-gu Launches 2026 Ulchi CPX to Strengthen Emergency Preparedness

Seoul's Gangdong-gu will conduct the "2026 Ulchi CPX" from Aug. 18 to Aug. 21 — a four-day exercise designed to strengthen the district's capacity to respond to national emergencies.

This year's Ulchi CPX begins Aug. 18 due to the substitute public holiday for Liberation Day. Fifteen agencies will take part, including the district office, the district council, the police precinct and the fire department.

The exercise will open with an emergency mobilization drill for civil servants, followed by sessions on wartime transition procedures, discussions of wartime operational issues and a national total-war simulation. Authorities plan to verify the effectiveness of the wartime response framework under the Chungmu Plan and review coordination mechanisms among participating agencies.

Particularly notable this year is a displaced-persons shelter operation drill to be held at the multipurpose hall of Gangdong Jungang Library. The drill simulates actual wartime conditions, focusing on mastering procedures for receiving and assisting displaced civilians and improving on-scene response capabilities in emergencies.

The district has also prepared a range of events to raise security awareness among residents and public officials — including a Korean War awareness program, a photo and artifact exhibition on the recovery of fallen soldiers' remains, a display of military equipment and supplies, and a security lecture for civil servants. The events are intended to provide an opportunity to reflect on the importance of national security.

"Through this Ulchi CPX, we will carefully examine our overall emergency preparedness posture and further solidify our coordination with related agencies," district mayor Lee Su-hee said. "We will continue to strengthen our response capabilities so that we can act swiftly and systematically even in a real emergency."