[Hallasan National Park]
SEOUL -- Drones will patrol a national park on the southern volcanic and resort island of Jeju to monitor illegal activities such as smoking, drinking or wandering off to prohibited areas.
The Hallasan (Mount Halla) National Park said Tuesday that two surveillance drones will fly through valleys and ravines dotted with endangered species of plants and animals. Patrol teams will be operated on land.
Park rangers spotted 48 cases of smoking and 49 cases of trailing in restricted areas last year. "Wandering off course to enter prohibited areas is very dangerous," Lee Chang-ho, the park's head manager, said in as a statement.
Halla is the highest mountain in South Korea. Its ridges and surrounding areas are home to many indigenous vegetation and animals. The national park is a popular tourist spot which attracts about 950,000 visitors every year.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
