[Report] What If a Drone Attack Like the UAE Incident Happened in Korea?… Observing Saeul Nuclear Power Plant's Aerial Threat Response Drill

RF Scanner Detects Drone Model and Operator Location
Portable Jammer Neutralizes Drones with Disruptive Signals
Reactor Building's Concrete Outer Wall Designed to Withstand Large Aircraft Collisions
Saeul Unit 4 Nears Completion, Aiming for Commissioning Early Next Year

On the 19th, firefighters are extinguishing a drone fire during an airborne threat response drill conducted at the Saewool Nuclear Power Headquarters. Nuclear Safety and Security Commission

"An unidentified drone has been detected from Post 8."

May 19, 1:53 p.m. Situation Room, Special Security Forces, Saeul Nuclear Power Headquarters, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, Uljin County, Ulsan, North Gyeongsang Province. The urgent voice of a guard on duty at the post protecting the nuclear power plant echoed through the radio. Simultaneously, the control room screen displayed the specific model of the drone and the location of its operator.

The commander in the situation room immediately instructed the security team to notify the military and police of the situation, and ordered the guard at the post to respond to the drone using a jammer. At the same time, the incident was reported to senior management, regulatory authorities, and the National Intelligence Service, and all employees were asked to refrain from entering or exiting the premises. The security alert level was also raised to Level 1.

Moments later, the control room’s CCTV vividly captured the scene as the drone, neutralized by the jammer, drifted and fell to the ground. When a fire broke out from the crashed drone, the commander requested the internal fire brigade and the Nam Ulsan Fire Station to respond. At 2:01 p.m., the CBR (chemical, biological, and radiological) terrorism response team arrived on site and extinguished the fire. Then, at 2:05 p.m., military personnel from the nearby 53rd Infantry Division post responded and successfully apprehended the drone operator.

The drone used in the public threat response drill conducted at the Seoul Nuclear Power Headquarters on the 19th. Nuclear Safety and Security Commission

After the military and police analyzed the situation and determined there were no further threats, the Level 1 security alert was immediately lifted. The commander in the situation room declared the situation over at 2:06 p.m.—just 13 minutes after the initial drone detection.

On this day, Saeul Nuclear Power Headquarters of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power held an aerial threat response drill with the attendance of Choi Wonho, Chairman of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, simulating a scenario in which a drone carrying explosives approached the boundaries of the nuclear power plant site. This exercise drew heightened attention, as it followed a real drone attack on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—which was constructed by Korea—on May 17 (local time).

Chairman Choi commented on the drill, saying, "With the recent war in the Middle East, energy security has become extremely important," and added, "This exercise is significant in terms of responding to physical attacks, especially drone attacks, and ensuring the stable supply of energy."

Choi Wonho, Chairman of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission (center in photo), is receiving an explanation about portable jammer drone neutralization equipment from officials of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power on the 19th. Nuclear Safety and Security Commission
Photo by The Asia Business Daily Staff

The main highlights of the day were the radio frequency (RF) scanner, which can detect drones, and the portable jammer, a piece of equipment used to neutralize drones.

The RF scanner, first introduced in 2023, detects communication signals between drones and their operators, enabling the identification of drones within a 3 km radius. By using unique identification numbers assigned to each drone, the system can determine the drone's model and whether it is authorized, as well as pinpoint the operator's location.

The portable jammer is a device that neutralizes drones by emitting jamming signals. Saeul Nuclear Power Headquarters is equipped with ten units, both with detachable and built-in batteries. When a drone approaches the nuclear plant site, the special security forces stationed at the posts deploy the portable jammer under the command of the situation commander. The jammer can be operated continuously for up to one hour.

Saeul Nuclear Power Headquarters is conducting physical protection drills from May 18 to 21.

Physical protection refers to measures taken to prevent threats to nuclear material and nuclear facilities in advance, and to detect and respond quickly in the event of an actual threat. The drills are divided into ground threat and aerial threat response exercises. A full-scale drill is held once a year, and a partial drill is conducted every six months.

During the drills, the 53rd Division’s mobile battalion acts as a simulated intruding force. A Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power official explained, "To ensure realistic response training, both the route and timing of the intrusion are kept confidential."

The security organization at Saeul Nuclear Power Headquarters is composed of security guards, special security forces, reservists, and civil defense corps. In emergencies, support is provided by the 53rd Infantry Division, Ulsan Police Station, Ulsan County Police Station, Ulsan Coast Guard, Ulsan Fire Headquarters, and Nam Ulsan Fire Station. Firearms and ammunition are also stored in the armory.

Even if a drone attacks a nuclear power plant, the reactor building containing nuclear material would not be significantly affected. The steel plate of the reactor buildings for Saeul Units 3 and 4 is 6 mm thick, and the outer wall concrete is 137 cm thick—designed to protect against impacts from large aircraft. The spent nuclear fuel storage building's outer wall is even thicker, at 180 cm.

The Shin Hanul Units 1 and 2 reactor buildings, which have the same design exported to the UAE, have an outer wall thickness of 122 cm. These, too, can withstand the impact of a large passenger aircraft without major damage.

However, if a drone attacks the turbine building or substations of a nuclear power plant, it could disrupt the power supply. The drone attack on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the UAE was likely aimed at cutting off energy supply, rather than causing a nuclear material leak.

A representative from Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power is explaining to reporters on the 19th about the Saewool Nuclear Power Plant Unit 4, which is currently under construction. Nuclear Safety and Security Commission

At the Saeul Nuclear Power Headquarters visited on this day, commissioning of Saeul Unit 3 and the final stages of construction for Unit 4 were in full swing. Saeul Unit 3 began commissioning after loading nuclear fuel in January this year, gradually increasing plant output. If all goes as planned, commercial operation is expected to begin in September this year.

As of the end of April this year, the construction of Saeul Unit 4 had reached a progress rate of 97.9%. Following the completion of high-temperature functional testing, construction for fuel loading and fuel insertion is underway.

Saeul Unit 4 aims to complete pre-operation inspections by October this year, after fuel is brought in this July. If everything proceeds according to plan, it is expected to receive an operating license from the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission early next year and begin commissioning.

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