Incheon Airport Conducts Training to Strengthen Drone Terrorism Response Capabilities as Part of 2026 Eulji Exercise

Participation by Airport Corporation, 3rd Security Battalion, and Airport Police

Plans to Enhance Joint Drone Terrorism Response Capabilities with Related Agencies

Incheon International Airport Corporation has launched training exercises to enhance its airport drone terrorism response capabilities as part of the 2026 Eulji Exercise.

At the 'Joint Drone Terrorism Response Training for Related Agencies Linked with the Eulji Exercise' held on the 19th at the sports field within the Aviation Training Center of Incheon International Airport Corporation, participants neutralized an illegal drone detected near the north side of Incheon Airport’s Runway 4 using a drone jamming device. Photo by Incheon International Airport Corporation

The corporation announced on the 20th that it conducted a joint drone terrorism response exercise together with related agencies.

The Eulji Exercise is a nationwide emergency preparedness drill conducted once a year at the government level to protect the lives and property of the people in the event of war, a national emergency, or a situation equivalent to such circumstances.

On the morning of the 19th, approximately 50 personnel from four organizations—Incheon International Airport Corporation, the 3rd Security Battalion, Incheon Airport Police Division, and Incheon International Airport Security—participated in the training, which was held on the sports field within the Aviation Training Center of the corporation.

The exercise was conducted as a real-life simulation, assuming a scenario in which an attempted drone terrorism incident occurred using an illegal drone near the north side of Incheon Airport's Runway 4, a critical national facility.

The main components of the training included: ▲ Detecting and identifying illegal drones via a drone detection system ▲ Informing related agencies of the situation ▲ Controlling the surrounding area and identifying the operator ▲ Neutralizing the illegal drone with a drone jamming gun and apprehending the operator ▲ Analyzing whether any explosives were attached to the drone. The focus was on ensuring that each agency fully understood its responsibilities and roles and on minimizing damage through rapid and systematic initial response.

On the 19th at the playground within the Aviation Training Center of Incheon International Airport Corporation, an "Eulji Exercise Joint Drone Terror Response Drill with Related Organizations" was conducted, where an explosive ordnance disposal worker from Incheon International Airport Corporation used a quadruped robot to handle explosives attached to an illegal drone. Incheon International Airport Corporation

Additionally, for the first time, a quadruped robot was deployed to verify the presence of explosives or other hazardous materials on the drone and to handle the disposal process, thereby improving the effectiveness of the terrorism response.

Based on the results of this exercise, the corporation plans to establish detailed drone terrorism response procedures and redefine the duties and roles of each agency, aiming to further strengthen joint drone terrorism response capabilities with related organizations.

According to the Aviation Safety Act and related regulations, the area within a 9.3-kilometer radius of Incheon Airport, which is under airport control, is designated as a restricted drone flight zone. Operating a drone within this area without approval from the competent Regional Aviation Administration can result in a fine of up to 5 million won.

Accordingly, the corporation is intensifying informational activities about the restricted drone flight zone in cooperation with related agencies. In September 2020, it became the first among domestic civilian airports to introduce a drone detection system to prevent damage from illegal drones in advance.

Additionally, during last year's Eulji Exercise, as well as during this year's drill, the corporation conducted joint drone terrorism response exercises with related agencies. In October of last year, it also conducted a joint anti-drone terrorism drill ahead of the APEC Summit, making every effort to establish a robust terrorism response posture.

Hoje Woo, Senior Vice President of the Aviation Security Group at Incheon International Airport Corporation, stated, "Through this joint drone terrorism response exercise linked to the Eulji Exercise, we have strengthened the cooperation system with related agencies and enhanced Incheon Airport's capability to respond to terrorism. We plan to continue conducting realistic training on a regular basis to provide even safer airport services to the public."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.