New Army Unit to Operate Drones to Counter N.Korean Threats

The South Korean military will next year launch a new combat unit to conduct reconnaissance and potential air strikes over North Korea using drones, a military officer said on Thursday.

The officer made the remarks during an audit by the National Assembly's Defense Committee at the military complex in Gyeryongdae in South Chungcheong Province.

"The new unit will concentrate its efforts on building combat capabilities that counter asymmetric threats from North Korea while minimizing civilian casualties," he said.

The army will also offer drone-related research and training so the unit can perform operations using a combination of drone and robot technologies.