South Korean drone-based disaster surveillance deployment

South Korean municipalities are implementing drone-based surveillance systems to enhance disaster management and wildfire monitoring.

In Donghae City, Gangwon State has established a ‘drone disaster safety network’ as part of an urban regeneration project. Utilizing a 410 million won investment, the city deployed smart drones in the Samhwa District to perform autonomous flights six times daily. These drones use thermal imaging and high-definition video to detect smoke or abnormal temperature changes, with real-time data linked to police and fire services via the Donghae City Safety Information Center.

Following similar technological trends, Sangju is developing an AI and drone-based smart wildfire surveillance system in collaboration with BonAI and D-Makers. This system aims for 24-hour monitoring using long-endurance drones equipped with infrared thermal imaging to track heat sources through smoke or at night. The Sangju platform will also include loudspeakers for evacuation guidance and is intended to expand into landslide detection, flood response, and missing person searches by May 2027.