[남북의 창] “드론떼 대응 훈련은 쇼” 비판…군 전력화 과제는 외 [이슈&한반도] / KBS 2026.07.11.

Smartphone and mobile payment systems, similar to those in South Korea, are becoming widespread in North Korea as well. According to 38 North, a U.S. media outlet specializing in North Korea, the number of locations where cash can be deposited into Samheung Electronic Wallet, a North Korean electronic payment platform, has more than tripled in just over two years since 2022. Additionally, there are cash cards issued by North Korean banks, along with electronic payment apps linked to them. Videos filmed by foreigners visiting North Korea even show street vendors displaying QR codes for payment. 38 North assessed that while electronic payments could be used as a means of monitoring the population, they are currently spreading due to their economic convenience. The South Korean Air Force recently conducted a drill to shoot down swarm drones infiltrating in groups using Vulcan cannons. However, a controversy arose after a Ukrainian military media outlet harshly criticized the drill as a "show far removed from actual combat." The South Korean Ministry of National Defense has unveiled a drone development policy alongside a major overhaul of its drone countermeasure system. While various initiatives have been proposed, such as the introduction of Korean-made suicide drones and the training of "500,000 drone warriors," there are still significant challenges to overcome before these capabilities can be fully operationalized. [Report] Fifty drones infiltrate in a swarm from about 1km away. As eight Vulcan cannons deployed in a line open fire in unison, the drones fall helplessly. A total of 44 drones were shot down in this manner, while the remaining 6 were neutralized using shotguns and portable lasers. This was a swarm drone response drill conducted by the Air Force Missile Command on the 23rd of last month. It was significant in that it marked the first time the Air Force Missile Command, whose primary mission is to intercept North Korean missiles, conducted a drone response drill. However, this drill has garnered attention due to criticism from Ukraine, a country that actually conducts drone attacks and defenses on the battlefield. A Ukrainian military media outlet harshly criticized South Korea's drone response drill, stating that it was closer to a show and exposed both tactical and economic limitations. [Du Jin-ho / Head of the Eurasia Research Center at the Korea National Strategy Institute: "It is significant that the ROK Air Force Missile Defense Command conducted this unprecedented exercise for the first time to prepare for aerial threats such as large-scale drone swarms. However, looking at the main points of criticism from the Ukrainian side, there seem to be two main points. First, it failed to accurately depict actual battlefield conditions. Second, although it was called a 'smart cost-effective combat' exercise, it was not a real smart cost-effective combat."] Ukrainian media criticized the exercise, stating that a scenario where drones maintain a dense formation at close range and slowly approach the front of a Vulcan cannon is something that does not occur in actual combat. They also pointed out that although Vulcan cannons capable of firing 1,000 to 3,000 rounds per minute were fired simultaneously to try and take out 50 drones, even this failed to shoot down all of them. The media also raised the issue of economic feasibility. If eight Vulcan cannons are used, the total cost per second of firing ranges from as little as $6,000 to as much as $18,000; however, the average price of the drones used by our Air Force is merely $400 per unit. Our Ministry of National Defense recently announced plans to extensively overhaul its drone response system to adapt to the changing nature of warfare. A flying object takes off from the deck of a U.S. Navy ship, spewing flames. This is the Lucas, a suicide drone that the U.S. first deployed in combat during its airstrikes on Iran last February. It was created by reverse-engineering Iran's 'Shahed' suicide drone and is evaluated as having excellent performance relative to its cost. Taking this into account, our Ministry of National Defense announced plans to operationalize the Korean-made long-range suicide drone, 'K-Lucas,' starting around 2030, and to introduce 20,000 small suicide drones and reconnaissance drones costing millions of won each. Starting next year, field units will be issued portable anti-drone guns capable of defending against drones through jamming, and in the mid-to-long term, laser anti-aircraft weapons designed to shoot down drones, such as the 'Cheongwang,' will also be deployed. Furthermore, the Drone Operations Command will be reorganized into the Defense Drone Headquarters to oversee drone development and support, while actual operations will be transferred to frontline units. The plan also includes the full-scale training of '500,000 Drone Warriors' to enable all soldiers to use drones like personal firearms. The cha...