Overview

• The defense budget proposal earmarks 20.5 billion won to procure 11,184 training drones, now submitted to the National Assembly for review.
• The Army’s 36th Division in Wonju was designated the first test-bed to validate civilian drones for military use and trial counter-drone equipment.
• Pilot programs across all services are scheduled to begin later this year as the force expands from roughly 300 educational drones toward a longer-term goal of more than 50,000.
• The initiative emphasizes commercial off-the-shelf platforms to stabilize supply and bolster local manufacturers, providing conscripts marketable skills after service.
• Officials cite drones’ growing influence in modern warfare and North Korea’s accelerating unmanned capabilities as key drivers for the effort.