Coast Guard Headquarters Establishes Dedicated Drone Operation Department... Also Trains Drone Specialists

Korea Coast Guard

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] The Korea Coast Guard announced on the 14th that it will establish a dedicated department to operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), such as drones, to strengthen maritime safety management and sea surveillance.

This department, tentatively named 'Cheomdam Muinje,' will oversee all UAV-related operations managed by the Coast Guard, including additional UAV procurement, deployment and utilization, education and training, maintenance and repair, research and development, and external cooperation.

It also plans to establish a five-year plan for the future development of UAVs and set standard specifications for Coast Guard unmanned aerial devices.

Until now, the Coast Guard lacked a dedicated department for UAVs, which limited systematic planning and policy implementation.

Currently, the Coast Guard possesses 68 UAVs, including 49 unmanned multicopters, 16 unmanned airplanes, and 3 unmanned helicopters, which are used for search and rescue operations in maritime accidents and for cracking down on illegal fishing vessels.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard Education Center recently received certification from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport as a specialized training institution for ultralight flying devices (drones). It is the third national institution to receive drone specialized training certification, following the Fire Department and the Army.

Going forward, the Coast Guard plans to open qualification acquisition and competency enhancement courses for UAV operation, aiming to train about 140 specialized personnel annually.

Kim Honghee, Commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard, stated, "With the establishment of a dedicated department and certification of the training institution, the foundation has been laid for mission execution using UAVs and the development of equipment suitable for the maritime environment," adding, "We will protect the precious lives and property of the people by utilizing innovative advanced unmanned technology."