Ulsan Conducts Drone Demonstration to Transport 50kg of Emergency Supplies in Simulated Nuclear Disaster Scenario
Ulsan is conducting a demonstration test to transport up to 50kg of protective supplies using drones under a simulated nuclear disaster scenario. This initiative is part of the city's project to establish a disaster-safe urban model tailored to Ulsan.
In addition, for the first time in South Korea, a live demonstration of a jamming drone countermeasure against unauthorized drone swarms will be conducted to respond to potential drone-based terror threats.
These initiatives reflect the unique and complex environmental characteristics of Ulsan, which hosts numerous nuclear power plants and key national infrastructure facilities.
According to the Ulsan Metropolitan Government on the 19th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology selected 15 local governments, including Ulsan, through the 2025 Drone Demonstration City Program. Other selected cities include Seoul, Incheon, Jeju, Changwon, Yeongwol, and Gimcheon. Funding of up to KRW 1.4 billion (approx. USD 1 million) in national subsidies will be provided, depending on the size and scope of the proposed services.
Ulsan plans to invest a total of KRW 1.5 billion (approx. USD 1.1 million) — including KRW 900 million from the national government, KRW 300 million from the city, and KRW 300 million from the military — to implement the “Ulsan-Style Disaster Safety City” project.
The initiative will run for eight months, from April to November, across the drone special liberalization zones in Uljin County, such as Cheongnyang and Sangbuk, near the Saeul Nuclear Power Plant and other locations.
The project is led by Ulsan City and supported by Ulju County. A consortium of ten organizations has been formed, including public entities like the Ulsan Information Industry Promotion Agency and private companies such as SK Telecom, AMP, MMP, Aero Research, Preneu, and Zerosoft. Vololand is the only participating private company based in Ulsan.
As part of the disaster logistics demonstration, drones will be used to deliver high-weight relief supplies (up to 50kg) in a simulated nuclear accident scenario — nearly double the current maximum drone delivery capacity of 25kg. Vololand is leading this demonstration, and its technology is reported to be fully developed.
In the mountain rescue sector, the demonstration involves using drones for search and rescue operations in the event of a distress situation in the Yeongnam Alps. When a person in distress sends an emergency alert via a mobile app, their location is automatically transmitted to a drone, which then flies to the site, verifies the situation, and assists in guiding rescue operations. This demonstration is being led by Aero Research, a Busan-based company.
Additionally, a jamming drone demonstration will be conducted to neutralize unauthorized drone swarms (three or more drones), marking the first time such a countermeasure is tested in South Korea.
The project also includes real-time monitoring of environmental radiation levels at different altitudes (50m, 100m, and 150m), and the development of a hyper-connected AI-based integrated control system to oversee all disaster and safety drone operations.
An Ulsan city official stated,
Given the concentration of nuclear power plants and critical national infrastructure in Ulsan, disaster preparedness and countermeasures against drone-based terror threats are particularly important. Through the successful implementation of these drone demonstrations, we aim to make Ulsan a city with no blind spots in safety.
Meanwhile, the special drone liberalization zone in Ulju County, designated in 2021, is nearing the end of its current designation period in June and has applied for an extension.
— Reporter: Kang Tae-a (kt25@iusm.co.kr)