Officials from the Presidential Security Service are seen providing security outside a presidential vehicle. Screenshot from the Presidential Security Service website
The Presidential Security Service (PSS) obtained a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its self-developed artificial intelligence (AI)-based X-ray hazardous materials detection technology, the PSS announced Sunday.
The PSS expects the U.S. patent to accelerate research and development efforts aimed at deploying the technology in the field.
The PSS said it sought U.S. patent registration to secure international intellectual property rights for its X-ray method of detecting hazardous substances, including strong chemicals such as sulfuric acid and explosive devices, as well as for the AI algorithms and implementation technologies designed to automate the detection process. After about three years of rigorous review, the USPTO granted approval in December 2025, with final registration completed in January, the security agency said.
Image of the U.S. patent certificate awarded to the Presidential Security Service (PSS) / Courtesy of the PSS
The PSS has been working to develop a system in which an AI model automatically determines whether screened items contain dangerous substances when scanned by X-ray equipment. Pretrained on some 600,000 types of hazardous materials data, the system is designed to provide real-time alerts to screening personnel, thereby enhancing accuracy and efficiency in security inspections.
Since 2022, the PSS has been pursuing a five-year research and development project focused on developing an integrated training system for screening officers based on the AI-powered hazardous materials detection program. The project is scheduled for completion this year. Beginning in 2027, the agency plans to conduct pilot verification tests at government agencies and nationally critical facilities before full-scale deployment.
The agency said the achievement is expected to serve as an opportunity to showcase its advanced protective technologies and scientific capabilities to the international community.
“Our goal is to overcome the limitations of security screening practices that rely entirely on the experience and proficiency of field personnel by leveraging science and technology,” PSS chief Hwang In-kwon said. “By introducing and advancing AI-based hazardous materials detection methods in the field, we aim to make a meaningful contribution to strengthening national security and public safety."
He also expressed hope that the technology would contribute to the growth of related industries amid a global trend toward preventing the entry of hazardous and prohibited items into national territories.
Source: Korea Times News
