From Hands Holding Hoes to Drone Controllers... Creative 'Village Making' and Drone Education in Sangju, Gyeongbuk

Sabalguk-myeon Samdeok-ri Residents Decide Directly, Creating a Distinctive Village

Village residents receiving drone training.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] The hands of the elders who used to hold hoes and sickles now hold remote controls. Drones rising over the fields along the Nakdong River were following the commands of the controllers from a distance.

The 'pilots' are 15 village elders. They have fallen deeply for the drones, the 'cuties,' that obediently follow their instructions. The quiet farming village has grown younger and more vibrant as it learns advanced technology.

Gyeongbuk Sangju City provided drone education to 15 residents of Samdeok-ri village in Sabeolguk-myeon for two months from July to September as part of the 'Samdeok-ri Village Making Project.'

The education, designed as a leadership training course for the club, was held once a week for a total of six sessions at the old Sabeol Hwadal Elementary School.

The drone education curriculum was decided by the residents of Samdeok-ri in Sabeolguk-myeon. They wanted a differentiated project rather than similar village-making initiatives elsewhere.

The residents challenged themselves with drone education. They pursued a resident-led project by finding learning opportunities applicable to rural realities, such as drone soccer and drone pesticide spraying.

Sangju City decided to assist in forming a drone club and to support the continuation of the club’s activities.

The residents also plan to participate in drone competitions. Even after the village-making project ends, they aim to engage in external activities to strengthen community spirit and change the village’s image.

Kim Si-jin, head of the Development Support Division of Sangju City, said, “We plan to carry out resident capacity-building projects that differentiate us from other villages and support residents’ desires for culture and welfare.”

The village-making project is an educational initiative that renovates old facilities and strengthens resident capabilities at the town and township village level.

In the case of Samdeok-ri, from last year until the end of this year, a two-year project is underway to restore two old wells called Ssangsaem and to provide resident education.

The education programs are decided directly by the residents, and the budget for education expenses is supported by Sangju City.