A drone with sensors flies over Banwol National Industrial Complex in Ansan, 40 kilometers southwest of Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 21 (Korea Bizwire) — The government has decided to intensify research and development (R&D) efforts to better respond to illegal drones that take aerial photos or videos without permission or fly in and around airports.
The Ministry of Science and ICT recently announced that together with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the National Police Agency, it will earmark a total of 47.5 billion won (US$43.1 million) to carry out a project to develop intelligent response systems against illegal drones.
Under this initiative, the government will develop interceptor drones that patrol radio shadow areas that cannot be reached by radar. Once they detect illegal drones, they can track them and emit radio waves to paralyze their functions.
After approaching illegal drones, the interceptor drone can shoot a net to capture them.
The government will also develop a radar system that will be installed on the ground to surveil and disrupt illegal drone flights, as well as forensic technology that the police can use to verify the identity of illegal drone operators.
Of the total budget of 47.5 billion won, 6.6 billion won will be spent next year.
In addition, the government also plans to invest 38 billion won next year for the development of new drone technologies that can be applied to national defense as well as the areas of data, network and artificial intelligence.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
