Ruling and Opposition Parties Collaborate on Counter-Drone Systems to Protect 'Energy Security'

The political sphere convened to discuss how to respond to drone threats targeting energy facilities. The Energy Security and Environment Association (Chairman Lee Woong-hyuk) and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (Director Joo Han-gyu) held a policy forum on June 10 at the National Assembly Library to discuss the establishment of an Anti-Drone system for energy security. Lawmakers from five standing committees attended, including Kim Eun-hye (Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee), Park Hyung-soo (Industry, Trade, Small and Medium Enterprises Committee), Yoo Yong-won (National Defense Committee), and Choi Hyung-doo (Science, Technology, Information and Communications Committee) from the People Power Party, as well as Lee Sang-sik (Administration and Security Committee) from the Democratic Party.

The Energy Security and Environment Association held a policy forum on the 10th at the National Assembly Library to discuss the establishment of an Anti-Drone system for energy security.

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In the first session, the government’s policy direction was discussed based on recent drone attack cases observed in wars and conflicts. Research Professor Cho Sang-geun from KAIST presented specific cases of attacks on energy facilities and new patterns of drone attacks. He analyzed the anti-drone systems of both Russia and Ukraine confirmed during the Russia-Ukraine war, as well as North Korea’s drone technology, emphasizing the need for an integrated civil-military-government strategy to protect critical national infrastructure.

Kim Kwang-seok, Emergency Safety Planning Officer at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, explained the progress of the ministry’s anti-drone system efforts since 2014 during the discussion, highlighting the roles of local governments and regional military units in establishing a 'zoned protection system.'

Kim Jung-yoo, Senior Advisor at Korea Aerospace Industries, pointed out the importance of establishing a legal foundation for the national anti-drone system. Specifically, he proposed legal amendments for integrated civil-military defense operations, setting responsibility zones for the military and facility managers in the airspace, and building a protection system focused on key nodes.

Legal issues requiring supplementation were also raised. Jung Yoon-jung, Specialist at Kim & Chang Law Firm, pointed out the absence of a legal definition for illegal drones and explained the need to amend individual laws or enact a so-called 'Anti-Drone Act.' She also proposed establishing inter-ministerial cooperation systems.

Lee Woong-hyuk, Chairman of the Energy Security and Environment Association and session chair, diagnosed that the anti-drone system for energy facilities should focus on customized measures tailored to each facility. He explained, "For petroleum storage and gas power facilities, systems must be designed and built to minimize secondary damage such as explosion risks," adding, "Energy facilities located on coastlines, like nuclear power plants, must reflect unique environmental conditions such as wind, humidity, and salinity."

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Additionally, discussions continued with experts including Kim Kyung-shin, Senior Researcher at the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) as chair, Tak Tae-woo, Senior Researcher at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Jung Sung-soon, Head of the Army Air Defense School, Jang Byung-chul, Vice President of the Korea Anti-Drone Industry Association, Yang Sang-woon, Principal Researcher at the National Security Research Institute, and Bang Jeong-joo, Team Leader at the Korea Testing Laboratory.

In the second session, the increasing severity of drone threats domestically, current response measures, and cases of illegal flights in no-fly zones were discussed. From a military perspective, the mandatory installation of friend-or-foe identification devices on drones was proposed, along with recommendations to prepare for responses to future intelligent and swarm drones. Furthermore, the necessity of establishing a national integrated system and organization was also mentioned.

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