KOREAN NET

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will launch the K-drone delivery service next month using devices like the one shown delivering food. (Gangwon State's official Facebook page)

By Israa Mohamed

Residents of islands from next month can get daily necessities, food and first aid supplies delivered by drones.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on July 30 said 14 local governments selected for a project to set up drone demonstration cities completed preparation for such delivery and will launch the service from Aug. 1.

The delivery service applies a system for comprehensive safety management by setting up delivery bases, stores, routes and apps. It also gained approval of a system for supervising drone safety to monitor delivery flights in real time.

The ministry is building a system to manage the delivery service's safety with the Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology, Korea Transportation Safety Authority, Korea Aerospace University and Sejong Cyber University.

The program serves 32 islands under the 14 local governments including Jeju Island, 17 park regions including Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do Province, and the Port of Busan. Delivery apps by region can be checked through the ministry or related local government.

The main items for delivery are food and daily necessities weighing up to 3 kg. The service will deliver seafood caught or made by residents in parts of islands, as well as regional specialties from park regions and ship supplies from ports.

Heart defibrillators and first aid kits for emergency patients are placed in areas covered by the service for swift delivery by drones on request based on the methods set by a local government. The range of items for delivery will eventually be widened to electronic devices including cell phones and water purifiers.

This map shows the regions covered by the K-drone delivery service. (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)

ess8@korea.kr