Seoul's Dongdaemun-gu is conducting a counter-terrorism drill that deploys drones as active on-scene response tools as part of the 2026 Ulchi CPX, running Tuesday through Friday, to test its readiness against evolving security threats.
The Ulchi CPX is a nationwide emergency preparedness exercise held annually to protect lives and property and maintain government functions in the event of war or a national emergency. This year, the district focused on moving beyond routine drills by incorporating emerging security challenges — including unmanned aerial vehicles and cyber warfare — directly into exercises and discussion sessions.
On Tuesday, the first day of the exercise, Dongdaemun-gu District Mayor Choi Dong-min received situation briefings at the wartime operations center and reviewed the district's emergency preparedness framework. The district then hosted a discussion with Ju Gwang-seop, a retired brigadier general, researcher at the Sejong Institute and professor at Kangwon National University, on the characteristics of drone threats and how local governments should respond.
On Wednesday, military, police and fire department units joined a counter-terrorism drill at the National Forest Research Institute. Notably, drones were used not merely as props to simulate a scenario but as actual on-scene response tools. Participating agencies confirmed their respective roles and responsibilities under a simulated real-world scenario and assessed whether inter-agency coordination functioned properly during field response.
On Thursday, District Mayor Choi will chair a session analyzing cyber warfare threats and discussing response strategies at the local government level. The same day will also feature a civilian air-raid evacuation drill and a joint emergency vehicle clearance exercise with the Dongdaemun Fire Station.
In the Cheongnyangni produce market area — a densely trafficked commercial district — the district plans to run an emergency vehicle corridor drill alongside a public awareness campaign urging residents to make way for fire trucks and ambulances.
Through the Ulchi CPX, the district aims to strengthen its capacity to respond to new threats such as drones and cyber attacks, address gaps identified during the exercises, and tighten coordination with the military, police and fire department.
"When the security environment changes — with threats like drones and cyber attacks — emergency preparedness must change with it," District Mayor Choi said. "We will conduct field-centered reviews of our response systems so that all relevant agencies can move swiftly in a real situation, and we will prepare thoroughly to protect the lives and safety of our residents in any crisis."
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