KT brings 5G to the DMZ, transforms life on border

Industry

Published: 27 Jun. 2019, 20:39

KT brings 5G to the DMZ, transforms life on border

KT CEO Hwang Chang-gyu expresses his hope that the 5G network raises the convenience and security of Daeseong-dong residents. [KT]

PAJU, Gyeonggi - On Thursday, KT switched on 5G service at Daeseong-dong, Paju, Gyeonggi, a small island of civilian life that lies within the demilitarized zone (DMZ) close to the demarcation line.

The area is highly restricted and under the control of the United Nations Command. It lacks basic services and has no convenient stores, pharmacies or restaurants.

KT hopes that the new service will improve the lives of people within the village and make a small contribution to peace on the Korean Peninsula.

“Apart from the technical benefits of 5G - like the high speed and connectivity - the network has raised convenience and security,” said Hwang Chang-gyu, CEO of KT, at a press event held in Daeseong-dong on Thursday. “We hope to turn the town into a place where all residents can live more comfortably. KT will support Daesong-dong 5G Village to function as a foothold that delivers the importance of the unification of the Korean Peninsula.”

The ICT solutions applied at the village include smart farming, the GIGA energy manager and mixed reality (MR) sports programs.

Smart-farm services enable farmers to remotely control the water supply through sprinklers and check the condition of the land on their smartphone, while the smart GIGA energy manager allows for the efficient management of power by remote control.

KT switched on its 5G network on Thursday in Daeseong-dong in Paju, Gyeonggi, which lies within the demilitarized zone. Students from Daeseong Elementary School students try out an educational system using 5G-connected technology.[KT]

The sprinkler system was installed along with 5G. Previously, residents had to report to the mayor and go 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) accompanied by a soldier to a reservoir and haul water back.

The MR screen sports could provide Daeseong Elementary School students with an opportunity to engage in games, such as screen golf, with other schools. In the past, it wasn’t easy for the few students in the village to participate in sports.

Other solutions include an artificial reality (AR) unification observatory, which provides zoomed-in images of North Korea and allows for the viewing of individuals walking in the North, and AirMap Korea, which provides air-quality information.

“We feel that the town has changed a lot,” said the town Mayor Kim Dong-gu. “This village isn’t easy for non-residents to access. Although the place is under strict control and is filled with tension, we are proud that the IT facilities have been constructed to the best quality here in Daeseong-dong.”

BY JIN MIN-JI [jin.minji@joongang.co.kr]