Korea Expressway Corporation to hold disaster response drill Wednesday

Korea Expressway Corporation announced Monday that it will conduct the "2026 Disaster Response Safe Korea Drill" on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. near the Salpijae Tunnel on the Gwangju-Daegu Expressway, in a joint exercise with 24 agencies including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Western Regional Korea Forest Service, Geochang-gun, fire departments and police.

The drill is designed to simulate a complex disaster scenario in which a wildfire spreads at the same time as a multi-vehicle collision and fire inside a tunnel, with the aim of strengthening field-based, real-world response capabilities.

Through the exercise, the corporation plans to inspect its disaster management systems and fire-prevention facilities to bolster its initial-response capacity. It will also take stock of its own resources in preparation for compound disasters and conduct a comprehensive review of its resource mobilization procedures using the national disaster resource management system.

Vehicle traffic on the Gwangju-Daegu Expressway between Geochang IC and Gajo IC will be temporarily restricted during the drill from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday. Drivers passing through that stretch during those hours will need to detour via Local Road 1084. The corporation asked expressway users for their understanding and urged safe driving.

"When it comes to compound disasters like wildfires and tunnel fires, the scale of damage hinges on the initial response," a Korea Expressway Corporation official said. "We will do our utmost to thoroughly review and improve our on-site response systems through this drill and create a safer expressway environment."

Meanwhile, Korea Expressway Corporation recently received the "Honorary Grand Medal for Member Merit" from the Korean Red Cross in recognition of its sustained social contribution activities and community outreach efforts.