The U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) is providing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and other assistance to help ensure security during the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Sunday.
The USFK's UAVs have been mobilized for surveillance activities around all stadiums to prevent possible terrorist attacks and accidents during the Olympics and the Paralympics. The Olympics run through next Sunday, while the Paralympics will take place from March 9-18.
"The USFK is offering UAV support in close cooperation with South Korean and U.S. military authorities, as well as the Olympic organizing committee, the ministries of foreign affairs and defense, and the U.S. Department of State," the JCS said.
"This clearly shows that the solid South Korea-U.S. alliance is shining more at the scenes of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics," it added.
The UAVs are producing live video feeds, which the Olympic security control center uses to protect Olympic venues from any potential dangers.
The type of UAVs remains unknown. But the USFK is known to operate small ones, such as the RQ-11B Raven and the RQ-7B Shadow.
The U.S. has some 28,500 troops stationed here as part of a deterrent against North Korean attacks and aggression.
Meanwhile, the South Korean military has also been providing various high-tech security tools, such as thermal observation devices, and drones and robots designed to search and find explosive devices. (Yonhap)