Safety measures announced in advance of Pyeongchang Olympics

Posted on : 2018-01-30 17:45 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
A tactical airplane and “drone-catching drones” will be deployed to prevent security threats
The Pyeongchang Olympics anti-terrorism and safety headquarters shows off its “drone-catching drone” which will cast nets over suspicious drones that radar detects approach Olympic venues. (provided by Pyeongchang Olympics anti-Terrorism and Safety Headquarters)
The Pyeongchang Olympics anti-terrorism and safety headquarters shows off its “drone-catching drone” which will cast nets over suspicious drones that radar detects approach Olympic venues. (provided by Pyeongchang Olympics anti-Terrorism and Safety Headquarters)

A tactical airplane of the kind seen in movies will be taking to the skies over Pyeongchang. Equipped with facial recognition capabilities, the airplane will be capable of detecting individuals posing terrorist threats. “Drone-catching drones” will be deployed to cast nets over suspicious drones that radar detects approaching Winter Olympics venues.

These were some of the safety measures announced by the Pyeongchang Olympics anti-Terrorism and Safety Headquarters to ensure security at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, which are fast approaching on Feb. 10. Around a million spectators, athletes, and guests – along with 26 heads of state from 21 countries – are expected to visit the opening and closing ceremonies and event venues during the Olympics. Safety is a top priority in ensuring the Olympics run properly. So who is making what kind of preparations for the Olympics’ security?

Safety for the Pyeongchang Olympics is overseen by the Pyeongchang Olympics anti-Terrorism and Safety Headquarters, established in Nov. 2016 with the cooperation of 17 government agencies, including the National Counter-Terrorism Center (NCTC), National Intelligence Service (NIS), police, and armed forces. Up to 60,000 people a day will be working to combat terrorism and ensure safety during the Games. The headquarters is to begin around-the-clock operation on Feb. 1 after establishing local safety control offices at 18 major sites, including event venues, accommodations, and media centers.

The headquarters’ basic strategy is one of monitoring and prevention. Its primary goal is to implement preliminary screening and searches to ensure that no individuals or items posing terrorist threats approach the security areas near venues. It’s a process that will involve the use of numerous high-tech devices. The tactical airplane, which is making its debut at an international event staged in South Korea, watches activities on the ground around the clock with a “hawk’s eye” from a height of 150 to 200 meters. The plane is equipped with high-resolution intelligent CCTV capabilities, giving it a real-time perspective on even the smallest visitor activities in and around the venues.

“If the intelligent CCTV picks up a threat, agents at the scene will be deployed immediately to bring it under control,” explained a headquarters official.

KAIST to deploy radar in order to detect suspicious drones

Steps are also being taken to guard against new forms of terrorist threat posed by drones. All of the areas near Olympics venues in Pyeongchang, Gangneung, and Jeongseon are being classified as no-fly zones. Access is to be barred completely to any non-approved aircraft or drones. In the event that a drone does approach, drone detection radar developed by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) is to be deployed. In cases where a suspicious drone is picked up by radar, drone radio signal-jamming guns are to be fired to bring it down. In addition to the use of drone-catching drones, special forces agents will be sent by helicopter to approach and shoot down the drone by shotgun.

While the tactical airplane will be taking to the skies, some 900 intelligent CCTV cameras will be located on the ground through the Olympic security area. The cameras will be operating around the clock to detect any suspicious movements near the event venues or athlete’s village. They are also equipped with detection and tracking capabilities for moving objects. Wide-angle lenses with nighttime filming capabilities allow for monitoring of blind spots and provide immediate information when cameras are damages.

Members of the Pyeongchang Olympics anti-Terrorism and Safety Headquarters conduct a training exercise outside of Jinbu Station in Gangwon Province. (provided by Pyeongchang Olympics anti-Terrorism and Safety Headquarters)
Members of the Pyeongchang Olympics anti-Terrorism and Safety Headquarters conduct a training exercise outside of Jinbu Station in Gangwon Province. (provided by Pyeongchang Olympics anti-Terrorism and Safety Headquarters)

X-ray search vehicles will detect and block access to people hidden in vehicles

Also making an appearance are three X-ray search vehicles. Costing 1.5 billion won (US$1.4 million) apiece, they will be used to search inside of vehicles traveling into the venues, detecting and blocking access to any people hidden in the vehicles, as well as guns and other dangerous objects. A search system for the lower sections of vehicles will also be used. Instead of using reflectors for manual searches underneath the vehicles, the entire undersection is to be photographed to block attempts at bringing explosives or illegal items inside.

A computer emergency response team (CERT) has also been set up to respond to computer network hacking and other cyber threats. Around 700 people will be working on the team, including officials with the Pyeongchang organizing committee, private security companies, and government agencies such as the NIS; Ministry of Science and IT; Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Ministry of National Defense; and National Police Agency. Security experts will be monitoring 24 hours a day to respond to unusual signs, including DDoS attacks and malware circulation.

“We have response systems in place not only for terror and other manmade threats but also natural disasters like earthquakes and heavy snowfall,” a source with the headquarters explained on Jan. 29.

“We are preparing to provide guests to the Pyeongchang Olympics with the safest competition in Winter Olympics history,” the source said.

By Park Soo-hyuk, Gangwon correspondent

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