Seoul's Geumcheon-gu to hold security awareness fair ahead of Ulchi CPX

Seoul's Geumcheon-gu district office announced it will hold a "Security Experience Fair with Residents" at the district office plaza and sunken plaza from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday.

The event is tied to the 2026 Ulchi CPX field training exercise and is designed to let residents directly see, hear and experience the importance of national security and emergency preparedness. Organizers structured the program so residents can encounter security topics naturally through hands-on activities and build both their emergency-response skills and security awareness. The Ulchi CPX is a pan-government emergency preparedness exercise that simulates national crises — including war, terrorism and cyberattacks — to assess the government's ability to maintain core functions, support military operations and ensure public safety. This year's exercise runs four days, from Monday through Thursday next week.

This year's edition goes a step beyond the usual administration-focused drills by adding a resident-participation component. The emphasis is on helping people learn how to respond to emergencies and deepen their security awareness through everyday, accessible experiences rather than treating national security as a distant or daunting subject.

The Geumcheon Police Station, Geumcheon Fire Department and military units will join the event, operating a total of 10 hands-on and exhibition booths.

The Geumcheon Police Station will display patrol vehicles, offer commemorative photos in police uniforms and let visitors try emergency radio communications. Military units will exhibit the Warrior Platform along with military equipment and personal-issue supplies, and set up a uniform photo zone so visitors can get an up-close look at gear and materiel not normally accessible to the public.

Additional programs include drone displays and hands-on flying, a Korean War photo exhibition, gas mask fitting, CPR training and survival-kit packing. An AI experience booth will also be available, catering to participants of all ages from children to adults.

A "Security Experience Stamp Tour" will add a game-like element to the day. Visitors who complete at least three of six designated stations — survival-kit packing, CPR, gas mask fitting, drone experience, military and police equipment, and AI — will receive a commemorative gift.

Geumcheon-gu District Mayor Choi Gi-chan said national security and emergency preparedness are issues that everyone must pay attention to in order to protect daily life and public safety. "I hope this event gives residents a chance to enjoy a variety of experiences, learn how to respond in emergencies and naturally come to understand the importance of security," he said.