Enhancing Security and Major Disaster Response Capabilities through Smart City Technology

Conceptual diagram of military operation control and training support services using closed-circuit television (CCTV) of the Smart City Integrated Operation Center (Provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] In the event of urgent security situations or large-scale disasters, the closed-circuit television (CCTV) of the Smart City Integrated Operation Center is expected to be actively utilized to facilitate the smooth execution of military operations.

On the 21st, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of National Defense announced on the 23rd that they signed a "Smart City Safety Network Establishment Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)" to enable military units to timely respond by using local governments' CCTV in cases of national security emergencies, military operations or training, or disaster response.

Through this agreement, a linkage network between military unit command and control rooms and local governments' Smart City Integrated Operation Centers will be established, allowing real-time sharing and utilization of the center's CCTV video information to support military operation information analysis and control, and to strengthen cooperation systems such as training support and disaster response.

Previously, during operations or unexpected situations, military personnel had to visit the Smart City Integrated Operation Center in person to check and extract CCTV footage, causing significant difficulties for the military to respond promptly in the early stages of situations. However, going forward, military unit command rooms will be able to immediately check CCTV video information to quickly grasp on-site situations and provide related information to operational units instantly, greatly enhancing command and control capabilities and dramatically improving the units' operational performance.

However, CCTV information will not always be provided during normal times to protect personal privacy. It will only be provided in cases permitted by law related to national security and regional disaster response, such as the declaration of integrated defense situations, issuance of alert level 2 or higher, government training, Korea-US joint exercises, terrorist incidents, disasters, emergencies, and rescue situations.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to conduct a pilot project this year targeting some military units and the Smart City integrated platforms established in Seoul and Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province, and then expand the related services to local governments nationwide by the second half of next year.

Lee Ik-jin, Director of the Urban Economy Division at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "As the military's role in responding to disasters such as wildfires and floods is increasing, it is expected that the Smart City integrated platform will greatly contribute not only to national security but also to community safety through this agreement. We will continue to expand linkage projects between the Smart City integrated platform and other sectors to improve the quality of life for the public."

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