Korea runs landmark pandemic simulation exercise to strengthen outbreak readiness

SEOUL, Korea, 5 Feb 2026—A pioneering fictional pandemic simulation exercise is being held in the Republic of Korea by the Korean Government, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) to explore opportunities to strengthen Korean readiness to rapidly develop and test new vaccines in the event of a future pandemic threat.

The tabletop exercise is the first of its kind to be held in Korea and the region with the Government’s Ministry of Food Drug & Safety (MFDS), a World Health Organization-listed regulatory authority, and the world-leading Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

The meeting brings together several expert organisations based in Korea working across pandemic preparedness—from threat detection through to licensure of life-saving medical tools—to simulate a realistic scenario imagining that a never-seen-before fictitious deadly virus is spreading fast and infecting people. Using skills, knowledge and plans developed during COVID-19 and in the years since the pandemic, attendees will be invited to discuss how they would work together across research and development, manufacturing and other parts of the vaccine chain to improve readiness and identify bottlenecks ahead of a potential health emergency.

The exercise will enhance Korea’s real-world response readiness by strengthening the scientific, regulatory and manufacturing capabilities needed to rapidly develop new vaccines against emerging epidemic and pandemic threats.

The objective is to increase pandemic preparedness at a country level to enable a response that is rapid, granular and tailored to local needs - while also strengthening resilience at regional and global levels.

“This exercise serves as an opportunity to comprehensively assess the capabilities required for the rapid development and regulatory approval of vaccines under a simulated real world crisis scenario, while also outlining key directions for future preparedness,” says Dr. Oh Yu kyoung, Minister of Food and Drug Safety. “Through continued collaboration with international organizations and relevant partners, MFDS will further strengthen its regulatory response framework to ensure that vaccines can be swiftly approved and safely delivered, even in the midst of public health emergencies.”

“Rapid vaccine development and supply during a pandemic is a national priority directly tied to protecting people’s health and a core pillar of national security,” says Dr. Lim Seung-kwan, Commissioner of KDCA. “This joint tabletop exercise with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, CEPI, and IVI serve as an important opportunity to review a seamlessly functioning regulatory pathway and system for vaccine development and clinical trials, even in infectious disease crisis situations, and to elevate Korea’s capability to carry out the 100 Days Mission to the next level.”

“COVID-19 devastated communities across the globe and the threat of another outbreak of similar magnitude remains very real,” says Dr Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI. “We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past. By conducting this fictional pandemic exercise, Korea continues to demonstrate its global leadership in health security. Under a whole-of-government approach working with Korea’s world-leading biotech sector, these proactive steps will both identify strengths and pinpoint where further action is needed. I’d like to thank our partners and exercise participants for their vital contributions to building a world ready to contain the next outbreak.”

CEPI is working with partners around the world to compress the time taken to develop safe, effective and accessible vaccines against new pandemic threats to just 100 days. The goal, known as the 100 Days Mission, is endorsed by Korea. Acting in a third of the time it took to develop the first COVID-19 vaccines could help stop a pandemic in its tracks, saving millions of lives and preventing widespread economic losses.

“Korea is rapidly emerging as a leader in vaccines and pandemic readiness,” says Dr. Jerome Kim, Director General of IVI. “Collaborative exercises like this —grounded in robust partnerships and realistic scenarios—play a vital role in strengthening national preparedness and global health security. IVI is pleased to work alongside national and international agencies as well as leading industry partners on this important initiative. By aligning science, policy, and industry, we can turn pandemic preparedness into concrete action and ensure the timely development of vaccines and equitable access for all.”

The event will run for two days in Seoul.

The Republic of Korea is a key investor in and partner to CEPI. The pandemic preparedness organisation supports 28 Korean partners working to advance the 100 Days Mission and strengthen pandemic preparedness. Korean organisations are also part of CEPI’s global networks including the Centralised Laboratory Network, Vaccine Manufacturing Network and Adjuvant Library.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

CEPI is piloting a series of exercises around the world bringing together a national consortium of public and private sector actors under government leadership to map and test out readiness to conduct a rapid vaccine R&D response to a novel virus outbreak. These exercises   can help identify opportunities for improvements through a progressive series of preparedness exercises.

By strengthening national and regional 100 Days Mission capabilities through this programme, the aim is for the world to be better prepared to mount faster and more effective end-to-end vaccine responses to an outbreak – from threat detection through to research and development, manufacturing, regulatory and licensure.