Anyang City won the Gyeonggi-do Regional Informatization Excellence Award for its ‘Citywide Drone Map Self-Production’ project. Anyang City announced on the 30th that it won the Excellence Award at the ‘2024 Gyeonggi-do Regional Informatization Best Practice Presentation Contest’.
At the presentation conference held at Dasan Hall, Gyeonggi Provincial Office at 14:00 pm on the 29th, with the attendance of about 110 people, including public officials in charge of informatization from 31 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province, case presentations were made for five cities and counties, including Anyang City, which were selected in the first written evaluation.
As a result, Anyang City hired experts in unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to produce high-resolution unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) maps of the entire city (excluding military and security facilities, etc.), thereby improving the efficiency of administrative work and implementing numerical-based administration. It was evaluated that it provided a basis for decision-making.
In addition, the city has been actively working on its own education and promotion of spatial information from unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) while collaborating with various departments.
The Gyeonggi-do Regional Informatization Best Practice Presentation Contest is the largest event related to regional informatization that has been held since 1996 to improve the informatization capabilities of cities and counties, including acquiring new information technology (IT) technologies, and to discover and share best informatization examples in the province.
Anyang Mayor Choi Dae-ho said, “Thanks to the efforts of public officials in charge of informatization, we were able to produce high-quality maps while reducing the city budget,” and added, “We will continue to actively support more advanced smart administration in the future.”
Meanwhile, the remains of the late Private Song Young-hwan, who died while participating in the Korean War, were returned to his bereaved family after 73 years.
Anyang City announced that at 10:30 on the 30th, the Ministry of National Defense’s remains excavation and identification team held a ‘Hero of the Nation Return Ceremony’ to return the remains of the deceased to the bereaved family at the home of Song Jae-sook, a bereaved family member living in Anyang City.
The return event was attended by about 10 people, including the bereaved family, Anyang City Vice Mayor Kim Neung-sik, and Lee Geun-won, head of the remains excavation and identification team. ▲ Delivery of identification notice ▲ Awarding of Korean War participation badge ▲ Delivery of patriotic spirit (memento) box ▲ Wreath laying and silent prayer, etc. It was carried out as follows.
The Ministry of National Defense’s Remains Excavation and Identification Team is pursuing a project to excavate, identify, and return the remains of those who died for their country during the Korean War but were not recovered to their families.
The remains of the late Private Song Young-hwan, who returned to his family that day, were excavated in the area of Mangsang-dong, Donghae-si, Gangwon-do in September 2013, but his identity or family relationship could not be confirmed at the time.
Afterwards, in 2020, Song Jae-sook, the child of the late Song Young-hwan, visited the forensic team in person and provided genes, and after comparing and analyzing the genes, the forensic team was able to find the remains of the late Song Young-hwan in October 2024.
The late Private Song Young-hwan, who was the 238th person to be identified by the remains excavation and identification team, left his family behind and joined the Army’s 9th Division in 1950 at the young age of 26, but died heroically in a battle in the Donghae region of Gangwon-do in March 1951.
Song Jae-sook, the child, said, “I was unable to find my father’s remains, so I provided the genes with the feeling of grasping at straws, and my earnest wish came true.” He added, “I would like to express my gratitude to all those involved who worked hard to excavate and identify the remains.”
Kim Neung-sik, Vice Mayor of Anyang City, said, “We express our gratitude for the noble sacrifice of the patriotic hero who willingly sacrificed his life when the country was in difficult times, and at the same time, we offer words of consolation to the bereaved family who must have been saddened by the loss of their family for a long time.” “So that this will be remembered forever, the city will work harder to honor and support veterans’ families,” he said.
Economy Queen Reporter Hana Choi Photo Anyang City
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Interview: Time.news Editor Chats with Drone Technologies Expert on Anyang City’s Award-Winning Project
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our interview today. We’ve just learned that Anyang City has won the Gyeonggi-do Regional Informatization Excellence Award for their innovative ‘Citywide Drone Map Self-Production’ project. Joining us is Dr. Seo Jin-ho, a leading expert in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology and its applications in urban planning. Dr. Seo, thank you for being here.
Dr. Seo Jin-ho: Thank you for having me! It’s exciting to discuss such a pioneering project.
Editor: First off, can you explain what impact this drone mapping project will have on Anyang City’s administration?
Dr. Seo: Absolutely. The use of high-resolution drone maps will significantly enhance decision-making processes within the municipality. By producing accurate spatial data, City Hall will be able to plan resources more effectively, monitor urban changes, and optimize public services. Additionally, this could lead to more data-driven policies and improved transparency in local governance.
Editor: That sounds impressive! I noticed that the project also involved the education and promotion of spatial information through collaboration with various departments. How crucial is interdisciplinary collaboration in such technology-driven initiatives?
Dr. Seo: Interdisciplinary collaboration is vital. In projects like this, input from various departments—engineering, urban planning, and even community engagement—is essential to ensure that the technological implementation aligns with the city’s overall goals. By working together, these departments can leverage drone technology effectively, fostering a culture of shared knowledge and improving overall governance.
Editor: Anyang’s Mayor Choi Dae-ho mentioned that the city was able to produce these maps while reducing expenses. Can you share how UAV technology contributes to cost-efficiency in local government projects?
Dr. Seo: UAV technology is generally faster and less expensive than traditional surveying methods. Drones can cover large areas in a fraction of the time, and they reduce the need for manual labor, therefore lowering costs. The data collected is also incredibly detailed, offering long-term savings since it can be used for continuous monitoring without needing to re-survey frequently.
Editor: Fascinating! Is the achievement of Anyang City an indication of a larger trend in urban governance? Are more cities looking to invest in similar technologies?
Dr. Seo: Yes, indeed! We are seeing a growing trend among cities worldwide to harness UAV technology for urban management. With smart cities emerging as a concept, local governments are increasingly looking at data-driven solutions to urban challenges. Drones can enhance everything from traffic management to environmental monitoring, making them a vital tool for future city planning.
Editor: Perhaps one of the highlights of the ceremony was the return of remains to a bereaved family, an emotional reminder of the past amid discussions of technology. How do you view the role of technology, like UAVs, in preserving history and honoring memories?
Dr. Seo: That’s a poignant question. Technology has the power to document and preserve history. Drones can be used in archaeological surveys and historical site mapping, aiding in the preservation of heritage sites. In cases like the return of remains, UAVs could aid in the search and recovery efforts, ensuring that our history and those who sacrificed for it are honored and remembered accurately.
Editor: Dr. Seo, thank you for your insights today. It’s clear that Anyang City’s recognition is not only a win for its local government but also a beacon for others to follow in leveraging technology for the greater good.
Dr. Seo: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure discussing these important developments with you.
Editor: And thank you to our readers for joining us. Stay tuned for more updates on technology and its impact on our lives.