The project will set up a drone delivery system based on the new address system to deliver goods to remote areas with poor delivery services. (image: Korea Post)
SEOUL, Aug. 1 (Korea Bizwire) — Drone delivery service will begin a testing phase for residents living on islands and in other remote areas.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety signed an agreement with Korea Post, government agencies, and local authorities to begin the pilot project.
The project will set up a drone delivery system based on the new address system to deliver goods to remote areas with poor delivery services.
The delivery system will be comprised of delivery points, bases, and stations. Delivery points refer to the final destination where a drone will deliver the goods.
Bases are installed near 10 to 20 delivery points in a 10-kilometer radius, and a station manages three to five bases.
This system will be used to send relief supplies and public service mail to locations where delivery trucks are unable to access.
The ministry will share the new address system to ensure accurate drone delivery, Korea Post will take charge of the delivery services.
The Electronics and Telecommunication Research Institute will provide technological support for drone operation, while the Korea Land and Geospatial Informatix Corp. will manage the staffing of drone stations.
The test run will begin in South Chungcheong and South Jeolla provinces. Bases, along with 30 delivery points will be added to the 20 existing points in South Chungcheong and two in South Jeolla by the end of this year.
The government plants to take a phase-by-phase approach to implement the drone delivery system.
Starting with South Chungcheong and South Jeolla provinces, the drone delivery system is expected to begin full operations in 2021.
By 2022, the government plans to install 10 drone stations throughout the country. In the long term, the government also plans to open up the drone delivery system to private businesses.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
