South Korea Joins ASEAN Disaster Response Drill for the First Time, Showcasing Advanced Capabilities

The National Fire Agency announced that the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) officially participated in the 2025 ASEAN Regional Disaster Emergency Response Simulation Exercise, held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from July 22 to 24. This marked South Korea’s first participation in the ASEAN-led disaster drill, serving as a significant milestone in expanding international cooperation in disaster response.

The ASEAN Regional Disaster Emergency Response Simulation Exercise is a flagship multinational training program, conducted biennially by the ten ASEAN member states. Its purpose is to assess joint disaster response capabilities and strengthen regional collaboration in addressing natural and man-made disasters. ASEAN, founded in August 1967 to promote economic growth, socio-cultural development, and regional peace and stability, includes ten Southeast Asian nations and maintains cooperative relations with key dialogue partners, including South Korea.

South Korea, as ASEAN’s highest-level dialogue partner, joined the 2025 exercise alongside approximately 500 participants from 15 countries, including major partner nations such as the United States, Japan, and the European Union. The simulation, held at Cambodia’s Special Forces Command in Phnom Penh, depicted a complex disaster scenario caused by severe monsoon rains, involving floods, typhoons, and building collapses. The exercise was designed to practice a coordinated multinational response to a fictional disaster-affected country’s request for international assistance.

KDRT dispatched a 17-member team of experts drawn from four South Korean institutions: the National Fire Agency, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the National Medical Center, and the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare. During the exercise, the team engaged in search and rescue operations, on-site emergency medical treatment, and field command post management.

KDRT is South Korea’s national disaster relief team, comprising both public and private sector personnel. It is deployed in response to large-scale disasters abroad to protect Korean nationals and provide humanitarian support to affected countries. The team has proven its operational capabilities on the global stage, notably during its deployment to Türkiye in 2023, where it successfully rescued multiple survivors following a devastating earthquake.

Through this first-time participation, the National Fire Agency shared South Korea’s advanced disaster response systems and field command strategies with ASEAN counterparts, while also testing the effectiveness of multilateral cooperation in real-time scenarios. Officials emphasized that the drill provided a valuable opportunity to deepen international partnerships and verify the interoperability of response systems.

Looking ahead, South Korea plans to reinforce its international disaster response cooperation framework and continue advancing proactive global disaster preparedness through close networks with ASEAN member states and other key partners.

Kim Jae-woon, Director of Rescue Operations at the National Fire Agency and head of the Korean delegation, stated, “The international activities of the Korea Disaster Relief Team go beyond disaster response. They symbolize the strength and credibility of our nation. We will continue to showcase Korea’s disaster response expertise globally by training skilled personnel and actively participating in international disaster exercises.”

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