The government will hold a nationwide civil defense drill this week to ensure the population can respond to a national emergency situation.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said Sunday that the four-day Ulchi drill will start Monday and run alongside the Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercise between Seoul and Washington.

The annual Ulchi exercise is a government-led drill to prepare for war and other national emergencies and to protect lives and property.

About 580-thousand people and some four-thousand public institutions will join the drill.

This year’s drill will strengthen practical training to counter new security threats such as drones, cyberattacks, and advanced weapons using cutting-edge technologies.

A nationwide air raid evacuation drill is scheduled for Wednesday.