National Intelligence Service and Army Sign Agreement on Drone Technology Cooperation

The National Intelligence Service signed an agreement with the Army on May 8, 2026, at the Army headquarters in Gyeryong to strengthen the country's drone security capabilities and improve responses to evolving drone-related threats. Gyeryong is located about 130 kilometers south of Seoul. Yonhap reported the pact was inked on Friday.

Under the agreement the spy agency plans to share the latest drone-related information and developments with the Army. The two sides will cooperate in improving regulations for the adoption of the latest drones in military usage. They also plan to work together in verifying performances of drones and counter-drone systems.

The National Intelligence Service and the Army will conduct joint training to respond to drone-related threats against national security facilities. Demand has been increasing within the military for data on the latest drone systems used in overseas battlefields, the NIS said.

Yonhap reported the statement reflected lessons from conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war where drones have emerged as a key asset.

"Through close cooperation with the Army, the NIS plans to establish a national drone security system and provide support for drone threat response measures," an official at the service said. The official spoke after the signing ceremony at the Gyeryong headquarters. The pact aims to create a unified approach to both offensive and defensive drone technologies.

The agreement comes two months after Vice Defense Minister Lee Doo-hee inspected a drone equipment booth at a military technology exhibition held in Wonju on March 31, 2026. Wonju is located some 140 kilometers east of Seoul. The file photo of that visit, provided by the defense ministry, showed Lee standing third from the right as he examined displayed systems.

Yonhap reported that the NIS and Army partnership seeks to translate rapidly evolving overseas battlefield experience into domestic doctrine and procurement rules. Officials indicated the joint training component will focus on protecting critical national security sites from both reconnaissance and attack drones.

The verification work on counter-drone systems is expected to accelerate adoption timelines for new equipment already in testing.