Korea’s drone-related exports reached a record high this year, posting a 58 percent increase from the previous year and expanding into 30 global markets. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Monday that Korea’s drone exports have posted steady growth over the past five years. The government added that it has designated the United States as a key market and plans to expand exports of products fully designed and manufactured by domestic firms. Exports this year reached 36.8 billion won ($25 million), up from 23.2 billion won last year. Export destinations expanded from 13 to 30 countries across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Major importers by volume include the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Germany, Singapore and the U.S. Assembled drones accounted for 84 percent of total exports, including models with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, multipurpose functions and monitoring features. Drone-based services, such as inspections of wind power turbines and other facilities inaccessible from land, made up 13 percent. The remainder co