The absurd behavior of some hikers who secretly enter Baengnokdam on Mt. Hallasan in the middle of the night to drink crater water, pitch tents, and post 'proof shots' has recently sparked major controversy. To catch this kind of bizarre unauthorized access and camping occurring at night, Jeju Island has decided to launch special drones equipped with AI thermal cameras into the night sky.

Jeju Island and the Hallasan National Park Office announced on August 19, 2026, that they will significantly strengthen enforcement against illegal hikers by deploying high-resolution AI drones capable of thermal sensing and nighttime path mapping. The first flight test was already completed in the Eorimok area between the night of August 13 and the early hours of the 14th, confirming the drone's ability to accurately identify human body heat even in pitch-black darkness. This measure aims to address the limitations of relying solely on existing enforcement personnel to monitor every corner of the vast and rugged Mt. Hallasan throughout the night.

The adoption of this cutting-edge technology was triggered by the reality of trespassing recently revealed by the Jeju Provincial Council. Photos released by the council show individuals engaging in dangerous behavior, such as descending to the bottom of the Baengnokdam crater—a restricted area—after 1 AM to drink water or climbing steep cliffs. The number of recorded unauthorized entries on Mt. Hallasan is on a sharp rise, from 30 cases in 2023 to 53 in 2025. Leaving designated trails to enter the Baengnokdam crater is an illegal act that can result in a fine of up to 2 million won under the Natural Park Act.

The AI drones introduced will operate with support from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's drone demonstration city construction project. In addition to cracking down on nighttime trespassing, they will also serve in safety management roles, such as searching for stranded hikers and monitoring emergency situations along the Seongpanak and Gwaneumsa trails, where accidents frequently occur. It is a bitter irony that the reckless behavior of a few, which damages the value of the national park, has forced the integration of high-tech solutions into the night sky over Mt. Hallasan.

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