South Korea Reviews Ulchi Exercise as Prime Minister Warns of Drone and Cyber Threats

South Korean Prime Minister Han Seong-sook called for thorough preparation against military and nontraditional security threats on Friday as the government reviewed its latest nationwide civil defense exercise.

Han delivered the message at a meeting assessing the Ulchi exercise held in August. About 580,000 officials from roughly 4,000 central and local government bodies and public institutions took part in the drills, which were designed to test the country’s ability to maintain essential functions during war and other emergencies.

The prime minister said South Korea now faces a security environment that is more complex and uncertain than before. She pointed to continuing armed conflicts around the world while also emphasizing emerging threats, including drone and cyberattacks. Her remarks placed digital disruption and unmanned systems alongside conventional conflict in the government’s assessment of potential crises.

Han said preparations made during normal times are critical if the government is to keep operating and protect lives and public safety during an emergency. She stressed that readiness depends not only on plans but also on repeated training.

The review highlighted the scale of the Ulchi exercise as a whole-of-government preparedness effort. Participation by thousands of agencies and public institutions means the drills extend beyond the armed forces, testing how civilian authorities would coordinate and continue public services under severe pressure. The involvement of local governments is also important because many immediate emergency responses would have to be carried out at the community level.

Friday’s assessment did not announce a new military operation or identify an immediate threat. Instead, it focused on lessons from the August exercise and on the government’s broader ability to respond to multiple kinds of disruption. The inclusion of drone and cyber risks reflects the widening range of scenarios that public agencies may need to manage at the same time as traditional security contingencies.

The government’s review is intended to determine whether procedures practiced during the exercise can support continuity of state functions in a real crisis. Han’s emphasis on preparation and repetition suggests that officials see regular drills as a central part of national resilience rather than a one-time test.

The meeting took place at the government complex in Seoul. It provided senior officials with an opportunity to assess the exercise after its completion and reinforce the expectation that agencies remain prepared for both conventional emergencies and newer forms of attack.