PM Kim calls for unified drone demand push, orders strategy task force

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok on Thursday called for a full mobilization of pan-government capabilities to aggressively generate public demand for drones, saying the integrated procurement system must be brought into operation swiftly to link contracting and quality assurance in a seamless chain.

Speaking at the final report meeting of the government's integrated drone and counter-drone task force at the Government Seoul Building, Kim urged officials to ensure that the newly established strategy promotion body — launched Thursday — rigorously manages progress and follows through on legislative measures, including the enactment of a special law.

He also said it was "truly meaningful" that the task force had laid the groundwork for strong cross-ministry governance, a distinctly Korean standards and certification framework, and an integrated civil-military-government defense system developed in coordination with allied nations.

Kim added that he hoped Thursday's meeting would serve as a starting point for South Korea to lead the global drone market and for citizens to feel the benefits of security and safety in their daily lives.