Drones ready for duty: Korea’s new delivery frontier

Date Aug 19, 2024

A drone delivers new electronic products to residents on Biyangdo Island. (Photo courtesy of Samsung Electronics)

A drone delivers new electronic products to residents on Biyangdo Island. (Photo courtesy of Samsung Electronics)


In August, Korea is set to transform its logistics industry with the launch of K-drone delivery services. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), this groundbreaking initiative will see 14 local governments implement drone deliveries across 32 island-filled districts, 17 park areas and one port. The service aims to swiftly supply relatively hard-to-reach areas with such essentials as food, daily necessities and critical medical supplies, including defibrillators and emergency kits.

The MOLIT selected these local governments in March for its City of Drone Demonstration Project. All have since completed the preparations and are poised to begin operations. As safety is paramount, delivery companies are required to obtain approval for their drone safety management systems and conduct real-time flight monitoring. The project adheres to the MOLIT’s comprehensive guidelines that spell out the establishment of delivery hubs, flight routes and integration with existing delivery apps.

Across Korea, drone technology is set to transform logistics and emergency services, particularly in somewhat isolated locations. Changwon is set to launch a drone delivery service in August 2024 at three of its parks: Daewon Sports Park, Bukmyeon Riverside Ecological Park and Mannal Park. The service will feature three drone takeoff/landing bases, or centers, and 10 delivery points. Users can order snacks and drinks through the app Nargo. Those deliveries are limited to 3 kg within 3 km and are estimated to take around five minutes.


K-drone Delivery Center, a base built in Daewon Sports Park (Photo courtesy of Changwon City)

K-drone Delivery Center, a base built in Daewon Sports Park (Photo courtesy of Changwon City)


The island province Jeju-do has already made strides in this field, successfully conducting its first drone delivery to Biyangdo, one of its small offshore islands, in July 2024. Each drone can deliver up to two fried chickens or four burgers at one time in just 3.5 minutes, much to the delight of residents since Biyangdo is lacking in fast-food options. Supported by 3.9 billion won in national funding, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province plans to expand this service to other small islands like Gapado and Marado. The project will offer deliveries during times when regular ferries are unavailable. The weight capacities and drone schedules will be tailored to each island’s needs.


Biyangdo residents who order fried chicken and burgers can now receive deliveries from restaurants on Jejudo in just 3.5 minutes. (Photo courtesy of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province)

Biyangdo residents who order fried chicken and burgers can now receive deliveries from restaurants on Jejudo in just 3.5 minutes. (Photo courtesy of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province)


In Incheon, drone technology is being employed with a different focus: to enhance public safety. The city is collaborating with the Incheon Coast Guard to prevent people from getting trapped on mudflats through nighttime drone patrols. Following fatal accidents in 2023, Incheon will continue its successful drone patrol pilot program for Muuido and Yeongheungdo from April to October 2024. Equipped with thermal cameras and speakers, these drones can identify people in low visibility conditions and provide safety guidance. This approach has proven more effective than foot patrols, with 880 people redirected from danger zones during the 2023 trial period.


Incheon Metropolitan City plans to use drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras and speakers to patrol tidal flats to keep people from wandering too far out, given the notoriously swift and high tides there. (Photo courtesy of Incheon Metropolitan City)
Incheon Metropolitan City plans to use drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras and speakers to patrol tidal flats to keep people from wandering too far out, given the notoriously swift and high tides there. (Photo courtesy of Incheon Metropolitan City)

These diverse applications illustrate the versatility and transformative potential of drone technology. From connecting remote islands with deliveries to enhancing safety in isolated areas, drones are proving to be a flexible, efficient and increasingly indispensable tool in modern logistics and public services. As these programs continue to evolve and expand, they are paving the way for more innovative uses of drone technology, promising to enhance accessibility, safety and quality of life across all areas of Korea.
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The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's "Korea Here & Now" work can be used under the condition of "Public Nuri Type 1 (Source Indication)."

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