Hanul Nuclear Power Plant, coastal surveillance unit sign MOU to strengthen plant protection

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power's Hanul Nuclear Power Plant Headquarters signed a memorandum of understanding with the 15th Coastal Surveillance Mobile Battalion on Thursday to strengthen nuclear power plant protection.

The two organizations had previously signed an alert agreement under the Integrated Defense Act and have been jointly responding to threats including illegal drones and maritime incursions.

The new MOU was drawn up to broaden the scope of cooperation and enhance nuclear plant protection capabilities in response to increasingly sophisticated drone threats.

Key provisions include joint military review from the earliest stages of introducing counter-drone systems, mutual sharing of equipment and resources, improved information-sharing frameworks, and security assessments using the military's red team.

"As drone-based threats are advancing rapidly, proactive responses are critical," said Park Jong-do, commander of the 15th Coastal Surveillance Mobile Battalion. "I hope this agreement will serve as an opportunity to strengthen the counter-drone response systems of both the military and the nuclear plant, and to build real protective capacity."

Lee Yong-hee, head of the Hanul headquarters, said security threats such as drones are growing more sophisticated, making nuclear plant protection increasingly important. "We will further solidify our nuclear plant protection posture through substantive cooperation with the 15th Coastal Surveillance Mobile Battalion, including counter-drone response and red team operations," Lee said.