South Korea conducts nationwide air raid drill alongside US exercises

Seoul announced that the Republic of Korea’s armed forces launched a nationwide air‑raid simulation drill on Tuesday, timing the exercise to run alongside the annual joint military training with United States forces. The operation, coordinated by the Ministry of National Defense, involved the activation of air‑defence warning systems, the deployment of fighter aircraft, and the mobilization of ground troops across all eight provinces.

The drill, dubbed “Operation Sky Shield,” simulated a scenario in which hostile aircraft entered South Korean airspace, prompting a coordinated response from the Republic of Korea Air Force, the Army’s anti‑aircraft units, and the U.S. Pacific Air Forces. Participants practiced radar tracking, missile launch procedures and civilian alert protocols, while emergency services conducted mock evacuations in several major cities. The exercise follows a series of heightened alerts in the region and is intended to demonstrate readiness against potential aggression.

Officials said the combined training aims to enhance interoperability between the two allies and to reinforce deterrence amid ongoing security concerns on the Korean Peninsula. The drills are scheduled to conclude later this week, after which a joint assessment will be conducted to evaluate performance and identify areas for improvement.