Domestic Nuclear and Thermal Power Plants Exposed to Unprotected Illegal Drone Flights
One in Three Cases Fails to Identify Even the Operator
[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] It has been revealed that nuclear power plants, thermal power plants, and gas and oil facilities, which are the backbone of the national energy supply network, are defenselessly exposed to illegal drone flights.
According to data submitted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power to Democratic Party lawmaker Shin Jeong-hoon of the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises Committee on the 5th, the number of illegal drone flights detected near nuclear power plants, thermal power plants, and gas and oil facilities over the past three years (2017 to August 2020) reached 42 cases.
By facility type, the number of illegal drone flights detected was 26 cases at nuclear power plants, accounting for 62% of the total detected cases, followed by 11 cases at Korea Gas Corporation facilities and 4 cases at thermal power plants. Notably, 14 of these cases were closed due to unidentified operators, revealing that one out of every three illegal flights did not even receive proper follow-up measures.
Power plants and gas and oil facilities are the core of the national power supply network, and if a fire or malfunction occurs due to an attack or accident caused by drones, it could deal a fatal blow to the public's energy use and safety. In fact, when Saudi Arabia's Aramco oil field was attacked by drones in 2019 and halted operations, international oil prices surged by up to 19%, leaving a significant impact on the global energy market. Due to these risks, stronger security measures are required for major energy facilities, but except for some technological developments, clear countermeasures have not yet been established.
Hot Picks Today
Taking Annual Leave and Adding "Strike" to Profiles, "It Feels Like Samsung Has Collapsed"... Unsettled Internal Atmosphere
- There Is a Distinct Age When Physical Abilities Decline Rapidly... From What Age Do Strength and Endurance Drop?
- "One Comment Could Lead to a Report": 86% of Elementary Teachers Feel Anxious; Half Consider Resignation or Career Change
- "After Vowing to Become No. 1 Globally, Sudden Policy Brake Puts Companies’ Massive Investments at Risk"
- On Teacher's Day, a Student's Gifted Cake Had to Be Cut into 32 Pieces... Why?
Lawmaker Shin emphasized, "Core facilities of the national energy supply network, such as nuclear power plants, are defenselessly exposed to illegal drone flights," and added, "We must accelerate the development and acquisition of technological equipment to technically control illegal drones that appear, and revise laws to impose strengthened legal measures on offenders."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
