Eliminating Redundant Reporting for Agricultural Drones: NAQS and TS Link Data Systems

MOU Signed for Enhanced Safety and Streamlined Administration
of Agricultural Drones Used in Aerial Pest Control

The reporting process for drone-based pest control operations will be streamlined. Previously, operators were required to file duplicate reports with both the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (TS), under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service (NAQS), under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. This inconvenience will be minimized through data linkage between the two agencies.

On April 28, NAQS announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with TS to strengthen systematic safety management for drones in the agricultural sector and simplify the reporting procedures for aerial pest control operations.

On the 28th, Kim Cheol, President of the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service (right), and Jeong Yongsik, Chairman of the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, signed a memorandum of understanding and took a commemorative photo. Photo by the National Agricultural Products Quality Management Service

The purpose of this agreement is to facilitate mutual growth of the two agencies by effectively reducing drone-related accidents and providing administrative convenience for users.

Until now, to operate pest control businesses using unmanned aerial vehicles, operators had to register as an "ultra-light vehicle business" with TS and also file a separate "aerial pest control business" report with NAQS, resulting in a cumbersome dual reporting process.

Through this agreement, the two agencies will enhance their information linkage systems to enable swift and accurate processing of aerial pest control business reports. Specifically, they plan to connect TS's integrated drone information system with NAQS's reporting system (electronic civil service and SAEIPQ), thereby minimizing redundant document submissions related to aircraft, insurance, and qualifications. NAQS expects this will reduce the paperwork burden for applicants and improve administrative efficiency.

In addition, during the off-season, when demand for pest control is relatively low, on-site joint inspections and educational programs aimed at preventing drone accidents will be conducted for agricultural drone businesses.

Kim Cheol, Director of NAQS, stated, "The establishment of a data linkage and cooperation system between the two agencies will serve as a model case for breaking down inter-ministerial barriers and greatly enhancing convenience for business operators." He added, "We will continue to actively cooperate in accordance with the principle of mutual trust and good faith to prevent agricultural drone accidents and create a safe operational environment for pest control work."

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