South Korea’s Rising Drone Threat: A Growing Concern

October 14, 2024 | Sang Choi

South Korea has experienced a sharp rise in unauthorized drone activities in recent years, posing serious threats to national security, public safety, and critical infrastructure. The country’s unique geopolitical landscape makes these incidents especially concerning. Government officials, security experts, and citizens are increasingly concerned as drones frequently breach sensitive locations like the presidential office, military installations, and airports. This growing drone threat highlights the serious need for effective counter-drone solutions.

Presidential Office: A Target for Rogue Drone Flights

The relocation of South Korea’s presidential office to Yongsan in 2022 has coincided with a dramatic increase in unauthorized drone activity:

  • 230 unauthorized drone flights were reported around the presidential office in Yongsan since its relocation to Seoul’s central district.
  • 89 cases were documented in 2022, following the office’s move in May.
  • In 2023 alone, 141 unauthorized drone flights were reported, indicating a sharp increase.
  • Comparatively, only 163 cases were reported between 2020 and 2022 when the office was still in Cheong Wa Dae.

Rep. Choo Mi-ae of the Democratic Party of Korea raised concerns about this trend, stating, “A security vacuum has become a reality … We need to come up with special measures to crack down on this.” These figures demonstrate the vulnerability of even the most secure government facilities to drone incursions, raising concerns about the potential for espionage or other malicious activities.

Disruptions at South Korean Airports: A Rising Drone Threat 

South Korea Airport Drone Threats

Drone incidents have also been disrupting operations at major South Korean airports, creating significant safety hazards and inconvenience for travelers:

  • Incheon International Airport experienced over 80 flight disruptions due to illegal drone activities between 2020 to 2023.
  • Jeju International Airport: On September 13, 2024, during the Chuseok holiday, a drone near the northern end of Jeju Airport’s auxiliary runway, forced a 48-minute suspension of flight operations.
  • Gimhae Airport: On September 15, 2024, drone sightings led to a 17-minute suspension, causing delays for eight flights.

These incidents have caused significant inconvenience to travelers, particularly during busy holiday periods. The airport authority stated, “Unauthorized drone flights around the airport can cause serious disruption to aircraft operations and are therefore subject to fines.”

These disruptions not only inconvenience passengers but also create economic and logistical consequences, highlighting the need for robust countermeasures to safeguard air travel and ensure the continuity of transportation services.

Drone Threats to Military Installations

The drone threat extends beyond civilian infrastructure to military installations, with intrusions becoming more frequent, threatening sensitive operations and intelligence:

  • Over the past five years, 33 illegal drone intrusions into military units have been reported.
  • The number of incidents went from zero in 2020 to 15 in 2023.
  • As of July 2024, 12 drone incidents had already been recorded for the year.
  • The Ground Operations Command has been particularly affected, with 18 incidents in the past two years.

Rep. Heo Young of the Democratic Party of Korea emphasized the magnitude of the situation, stating, “We must prepare for drone attacks.”

The Need for Effective Counter-Drone Solutions

While South Korea’s current Aviation Safety Act and its Enforcement Decree prohibit drone flights in certain areas, these regulations alone are insufficient. The country must invest in advanced counter-drone technologies to effectively combat the rising drone threat.

Advanced systems like D-Fend Solution’s EnforceAir, which utilizes RF cyber C-UAS technology, can effectively detect, track, and mitigate rogue drones. By deploying such technologies, South Korea can protect its critical infrastructure, enhance national security, and reassure the public of its ability to handle emerging threats.

As drones become more autonomous and sophisticated, the need for flexible, adaptive counter-drone solutions will only grow. South Korea must act swiftly to stay ahead of the evolving drone threat.

Sang Choi leads D-Fend Solutions' initiatives in South Korea, driving market development and partnerships in defense, security, and commercial sectors. With over 35 years of experience in sales, marketing, procurement, and strategy execution across Korea, Europe, Latin America, South Asia, and the Middle East & Africa, he brings a wealth of expertise to the role. Prior to joining D-Fend, Sang held key positions at major Korean aerospace and defense companies.

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