"Drones are no longer a technology of the future. Ulju County is already a leader in South Korea, having integrated drones into everyday life," he said.
On July 4, Ulju County in Ulsan announced that Mayor Lee Sungul had been selected as the recipient of the '2025 Korea's Influential CEOs' award in the drone-specialized city management category. This award recognizes his contributions to driving balanced regional development through administrative innovation based on drones and the provision of services that residents can directly experience.
Lee Sungul, mayor of Ulju County, who was selected as one of the '2025 Korea's Influential CEOs,' is posing for a commemorative photo. Provided by Ulju County
Now in its 13th year, the 'Korea's Influential CEOs' awards are hosted by TV Chosun and sponsored by the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Environment, and the Korea Commission for Corporate Partnership, among others. Awardees are carefully selected from among leaders who have driven change and growth in their respective fields with outstanding leadership and vision.
Since taking office, Mayor Lee has fostered the drone industry as a core strategic industry for Ulju. Ulju County is presenting a new model for drone-based administration by organically linking key government policies, including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's 'Drone Special Free Zone,' the 'Drone Demonstration City Project,' and the 'Smart City Development Project.'
In particular, the integration of drone technology across all areas of administration has been credited with bringing about tangible change. Ulju County has established a drone integrated control center and, in connection with the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, has significantly expanded drone-based public services such as wildfire monitoring, radiation measurement, crackdowns on illegal marine harvesting, crime prevention patrols, and crop diagnostics.
Additionally, Ulju County is accelerating the realization of a 'standard city for drone administration' that residents can experience firsthand, by implementing 'minute-level administrative authority' through drone delivery (K-Drone), real-time urban change documentation, and high-risk area monitoring.
Mayor Lee Sungul stated, "This award is external recognition that Ulju County is achieving balanced development in both residents' lives and industry through drones. Moving forward, Ulju County will strive not only to become the nation's top drone-specialized city but also to lead the future of South Korea's drone industry."
Ulju County has been leading domestic drone demonstration projects by challenging for designation as a 'Drone Special Free Zone' for three consecutive years. Through business agreements signed with seven private and public institutions, the county is continuing its efforts to commercialize drone technology, focusing on 14 detailed projects.
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