(https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20230601093100057?input=1195m, 2023.06.01)

Ulsan, Uljugun, is preparing for the second consecutive designation of the Drone Special Free Zone, aiming to become Korea's leading drone hub and create a "Drone Standard City."

On the 1st, Uljugun held a signing ceremony for the second phase of the Uljugun Drone Special Free Zone, attended by Ulsan Mayor Lee Soon-gul, the director of the Ulsan Information Industry Promotion Agency, Gu Ja-rok, and representatives from 12 participating organizations. 

The purpose of this agreement is to address urban issues and improve residents' convenience by utilizing drones as future mobility, aiming to establish Uljugun as a Drone Standard City. 

The plan is to promote commercialization through drone verification aligned with the second phase of the Drone Special Free Zone designation.

The participating organizations include Ulsan Information Industry Promotion Agency, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, SK Telecom, Narma, Gaion, Rainbow Research Institute, Aero Research, Skysys, Ulsan Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Education Center, AMP, Free New, Vololand, and Clover Studio.

Under the agreement, these organizations will take the lead in practicalizing and commercializing 16 projects in four drone-related sectors.

The sectors include Urban Air Mobility (PAV development and verification, integrated control advancement, long-distance goods delivery, Gwanwoljae goods delivery), Safety City (road damage monitoring, city landscape recording, illegal drone detection, integrated defense, wildfire and safety monitoring), Smart Agriculture (drone pilot qualification education, outdoor smart farms), and Smart Services (mountain rescue, urban management, crop diagnosis, crime prevention, radiation measurement).

The Drone Special Free Zone designated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport is a regulatory-free zone that facilitates drone use verification in urban areas by removing various regulations.

Uljugun is preparing for the second phase designation following the first phase in 2021.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport held a public call for the second phase of the Drone Special Free Zone in September last year. 

After Uljugun applied in November, an evaluation committee was held in April this year, and the decision and announcement from the Drone Industry Council are expected this month.

Mayor Lee Soon-gul stated, "In the future, whenever someone thinks of 'drone,' I hope they will immediately think of Uljugun. We will do our best to make Uljugun the drone hub and drone standard city. I wish for Uljugun to lead the future of Korea based on advanced industries utilizing drones."