South Korea aims to train all 500,000 troops as drone operators

South Korea plans to train every member of its nearly 500,000-strong military to operate drones as easily as personal firearms, aiming to make drones a universal combat tool. Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back announced the initiative on June 26, citing lessons from the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. The military will also reorganize its drone command to focus on collaborating with domestic industry for commercial drone technology, while equipping units with more expendable drones and counter-drone weapons.