South Korea Starts Delivery Of Goods To Remote Islands And Regions With Drones This Month

Trial of delivery drone service in Pocheon, Gyeonggi, South Korea. (Source: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)

JAKARTA - South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on Tuesday it would launch the country's first national drone delivery service to increase daily comfort for residents living on remote islands, regional areas and national parks across the country.

This service will initially deliver food, daily necessities and first aid equipment, depending on heavy restrictions and availability. The government intends to expand services to accommodate larger volumes and wider user bases in the future.

K-drone delivery services will cover 32 island districts, 17 regional park areas and one port in 14 city jurisdictions, according to the ministry, reported The Korea Times July 31.

Although the service was originally launched on July 19 in three island districts off Jeju Island, full-scale operations will begin in August. The service will also be available to those living in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, Seosan, South Chungcheong Province, and Incheon as well as park areas in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, Namwon, North Jeolla Province, Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province and Busan Port.

Shipping companies using K-drone deliveries have obtained approval from the ministry in recognition of their secure drone management, including direct drone monitoring in operation.

The ministry has also given special flight approvals to these companies, so they can fly their drones even in areas with low visibility, a condition most drones experience during flight.

The authorities have also provided shipping companies with standard manuals, so that they can each create their own drone safety management systems under the country's aviation safety regulations.

Joo Jong-wan, of the aviation policy division under the ministry's civil aviation office, said several large companies had shown interest in the K-drone delivery system so smartphones, water purifiers and other electronics could be sent to remote areas.

"This service will increase its maximum weight and diversify goods for users," Joo said. "This will greatly help the island's population. We will also expand further the service target area across the country," he added.

This drone can transport up to 3 kilograms per shipment and also allows residents in remote areas to send back goods to all countries where K-drone delivery centers are located.

These include local catch fish or agricultural crops from islands, regional special products from park areas, or equipment from ships, all of which can reach remote interiors of the country using this service.

Automatic external defibrillators and first aid equipment are available at each local K-drone delivery center, so they can be delivered quickly when requested in case of a medical emergency in these remote areas.

Prior to launching the service, the ministry in March selected 14 city jurisdictions to introduce the service. Since then, the authorities have collaborated with state-run agencies and university researchers, including the Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology, the Korean Transportation Safety Authority, the Korean Aerospace University, and Siber Sejong University, to prepare a safety care system for the service.

K-drone delivery is a comprehensive system based on four main concepts: delivery targets, drone lift pods, flight routes for drones, and online platforms for service users.