An urban air mobility (UAM) system developed by South Korea is expected to significantly reduce travel time in urban areas once it is operational. On November 3, a test flight event for the South Korean UAM (K-UAM) took place at its demonstration base in Goheung County of the Jeollanam-do Province, the southernmost province in mainland Korea. The event, hosted by the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT) and organized by the Korean Aerospace Research Institute (KARI), showcased various K-UAM components, including aircraft, vertical take-off and landing platforms, traffic management systems, and service systems like terminals. This marked the first public presentation of these domestically manufactured facilities in South Korea. Baek Won Kug, Vice Minister for MOLIT, stated that “Korea will open the urban sky in the most liberating way in the world” at the test flight event.
At the event, attendees were guided by narrators as they toured various passenger terminal applications of technology and equipment, including the comprehensive control room and noise measurement. They also witnessed a demonstration using South Korean-developed aircraft in the first-ever established UAM operational system in South Korea. Two aircraft models were tested at the event. SKYLA-V2, with a top speed of 60 mph, a range of up to 16 miles, and a maximum flight time of 20 minutes, and OPPAV, which can reach speeds of up to 150 mph, cover distances of up to 31 miles, and have a maximum flight time of 45 minutes.
Following the first-stage test flights in open areas, K-UAM will begin test flights in densely populated areas, including Seoul and its surrounding cities, starting in August next year. This verification process will continue until June 2025, aiming to reduce the travel time required when driving a car for one hour to approximately 20 minutes through the use of K-UAM.
The passenger boarding process demonstrated at the event highlighted the convenience for passengers. By making reservations through an app and providing information such as departure and destination, preferred departure time, and the number of passengers, passengers can arrive at the vertical airport at their chosen departure time. They can then board the aircraft using facial recognition and new security screening technology.
Representatives from numerous research institutes, including the Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology, four South Korean universities, as well as more than 250 academic and industry representatives from auto manufacturers such as Hyundai, South Korean telecommunications companies, Incheon International Airport Corporation, Korean Air, and others, were present at the event.
South Korea plans to commercialize its urban taxi flights using the K-UAM system by 2025. The capital city of Seoul reportedly chose its routes for K-UAM demonstration flights in 2024‒2025 and planned to launch a tour service along the Han River after the completion of the second phase of the K-UAM system.
Note: Sophia Lam contributed to this report.