(https://www.onews.tv/news/articleView.html?idxno=168020, 2023.06.01)
 

Ulsan’s Uljugun is advancing plans to create a drone-powered hub for advanced industries and establish itself as a leading drone city.

On the 1st, Uljugun held a signing ceremony for the ‘Uljugun Drone Special Free Zone Phase 2’ at the Ginkgo Tree Hall. 

The ceremony was attended by Uljugun Mayor Lee Soon-gul, as well as Koo Ja-rok, the director of Ulsan Information Industry Promotion Agency, and representatives from 12 participating organizations.

The participating organizations include: Ulsan Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), SK Telecom, Narma, Gaion, Rainbow Research Institute, Aeroresearch, SKYSYS, Ulsan Unmanned Aerial Education Institute, AMP, Free New, Vololand, Clover Studio

These organizations have agreed to collaborate on 16 projects across four drone-related fields to promote practical application and commercialization. 

The fields include: Urban Air Mobility (PAV development and testing, integrated control system advancement, long-distance goods delivery, Ganeoljae delivery), Smart City Safety (Road damage monitoring, cityscape recording, illegal drone detection, integrated defense, wildfire and safety monitoring), Smart Agriculture (Drone operator certification training, smart farming), Smart Services (Mountain rescue, city management, crop diagnostics, crime prevention, radiation measurement)

The Drone Special Free Zones, designated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT), are regulatory-free zones aimed at promoting the use of drones in urban areas by removing various regulations.

Uljugun is preparing for its second designation as a special free zone following its first designation in 2021. 

In September of last year, the MOLIT held a second public offering for the Drone Special Free Zone, and Uljugun applied in November 2022. After an evaluation committee meeting in April, the drone industry council’s approval and official notification are expected this month.

Mayor Lee Soon-gul stated, "In the future, when people think of 'drones,' Uljugun will be the first place that comes to mind. We will do our best to establish Uljugun as the leading drone city and a drone standard city. I hope Uljugun will become a city that leads the future of South Korea through advanced industries powered by drones."

Additionally, Uljugun won the top prize in the drone (geospatial) survey category at the 2023 2nd Ulsan Drone Piloting Competition. The award recognized their swift and safe drone flight, the accuracy of data processing, precision of observation points and calculated area, and timely submission of results.