Presidential Security Service's "AI X-ray" Technology Registered with U.S. Patent... "Expected to Contribute to Related Industry Development"

Registered after three-year review... Strengthening both national security and public safety
R&D projects for field application expected to accelerate

The Presidential Security Service announced on the 22nd that its independently developed "artificial intelligence (AI)-based X-ray hazardous materials detection method" has been granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This is expected to serve as an opportunity to promote the advanced protection technology capabilities and scientific sophistication of the Presidential Security Service, the agency exclusively responsible for national protection work, to countries around the world.

Photo of patent certificate (Source: Presidential Security Service)

The Presidential Security Service applied for patent registration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office to secure international intellectual property rights for two state-owned patents. After a strict three-year examination process, the patents were approved for registration in December 2025 and the final registrations were completed in January 2026.

With the acquisition of the U.S. patents, research and development (R&D) projects aimed at applying this technology in the field are also expected to accelerate. The Presidential Security Service has been dedicated to developing a system in which AI, pre-trained on data for more than 600,000 types of hazardous materials, automatically determines in advance whether items screened by X-ray equipment contain hazardous materials and provides real-time alerts to screening personnel, thereby enhancing the accuracy of screening work.

In particular, since 2022 it has been pursuing an R&D project focused on developing an integrated training system that enables continuous training with the AI hazardous materials detection program and screening personnel over a five-year period, with completion targeted for this year. Starting in 2027, the agency plans to put the system to full-scale use after conducting demonstration tests in on-site screening work at government agencies and critical national facilities.

Hwang Inkwon, Chief of the Presidential Security Service, said, "Our goal is to overcome, through science and technology, the limitation that current screening work relies entirely on the experience and proficiency of on-site personnel," adding, "By introducing and advancing AI-based hazardous materials detection methods in the field, we will make a tangible contribution to strengthening national security and public safety." He went on to say, "By responding to the global trend of blocking the entry of hazardous materials and prohibited items into national territories, we also expect to contribute to the development of related industries."