Using drones to assist with beach cleanups and a range of public services. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
JEJU, May 9 (Korea Bizwire) – On the scenic vacation of island of Jeju, South Korea, an innovative initiative is using drones to assist with beach cleanups and a range of public services, highlighting the region’s embrace of cutting-edge technologies.
According to Jeju provincial authorities, a special project will be launched on the islands of Chagwido and Hyeongjedo, where drones will aid in collecting marine debris from beaches during “plogging” – the activity of picking up litter while jogging or walking.
The process involves individuals gathering trash on the shoreline and depositing it into bags, which drones will then transport to nearby vessels designated for waste collection. Two drones capable of carrying loads between 3 and 5 kilograms at a time will be deployed for this purpose.
Beyond beach cleanups, Jeju is exploring the use of drones for various public services. One initiative involves flying drones equipped with weather sensors along the urban air mobility route between Jeju International Airport and the Jungmun Beach tourist complex to analyze meteorological conditions.
Drones will also be utilized for improving safety measures at crowded events, assisting in search and rescue operations for missing individuals, and even staging drone shows as part of public entertainment offerings.
Since 2019, Jeju has been using drones to transport medical supplies from the main island to the remote Gapado Island. This year, the province plans to expand drone delivery services to Marado Island and Biyangdo Island as well.
Yang Je-yoon, director of Jeju’s Innovation Industry Bureau, stated, “We will make every effort to actively employ cutting-edge drone technology to address regional issues.” He added, “Prioritizing the safety and happiness of our residents, we will provide secure and effective drone-based public services.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
