Ulju County in Ulsan announced on the 11th that it has been selected for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's "2026 Drone Demonstration City Development Project," marking its third consecutive year participating in the initiative.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport selected 30 local governments including Ulju County for the drone demonstration city project. The initiative is divided into three categories: K-Drone Delivery commercialization, internationalization of drone leisure sports, and drone-based public services.
Ulju County was selected for the "K-Drone Delivery Commercialization" project this year, securing 110 million won in government funding. The K-Drone Delivery commercialization service enables island residents and visitors to parks and campgrounds to order food and convenience items via mobile devices for rapid drone delivery.
Ulju County serves as the lead organization, with Vololand and AMP participating as corporate partners. To ensure safe delivery and enhance competitiveness, the project will incorporate parachute systems and domestically produced batteries, fuel cells, motors, and communication equipment.
The drone delivery service will operate from two distribution hubs to 16 delivery points. The service will focus on the Samnam and Seosaeng areas, advancing operational performance analysis and demand assessment while also conducting public services such as surveillance of vulnerable areas.
A total of four drones—two per area—will provide delivery services, accepting orders through a mobile app for various items including coffee, Chinese food, gimbap, and mart products. Each delivery costs 3,000 won, with a maximum payload of 5 kilograms. The county plans to strengthen safety management through CCTV monitoring at distribution hubs and delivery points.
"Based on the drone infrastructure and service operation experience Ulju County has accumulated, we have been selected for the drone demonstration city development project for three consecutive years," a county official said. "Through this project, we will work harder to make K-Drone Delivery a service that everyone can enjoy in their daily lives."