**Criticism of Government Ineptitude Amid Public Concerns Over Drone Sightings**
*(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Ko Il-hwan* – Recently, a series of unidentified drone sightings in the Eastern United States has led to growing public dissatisfaction with government authorities.
Despite authorities maintaining that these drones do not pose a threat to public safety, citizens are accusing them of a “lackadaisical response.”
According to the Financial Times (FT) on the 14th (local time), the White House, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) stated in a joint briefing that the recent increase in drone sighting reports is likely due to manned aircraft being misidentified.
An FBI representative noted that these drone sighting reports are concentrated around the flight paths of aircraft near airports.
Major international airports like New York’s JFK, LaGuardia, and New Jersey’s Newark are operational in the Eastern US.
Out of 5,000 reports of unidentified drones, less than 100 require further investigation, according to the FBI.
However, public opinion generally does not accept this stance from the authorities.
Since last month, rumors have been spreading in Eastern coastal regions like New Jersey about these drones potentially being launched by Iran from the Atlantic Ocean.
There is speculation that the drones could be originating from hostile foreign nations like Iran.
James Dodd, the mayor of Dover City in northern New Jersey, expressed his shock at the authorities’ announcement that drone reports were mistaken for aircraft.
Mayor Dodd criticized, “The United States, capable of shooting down missiles from 8,000 kilometers away, is failing to properly identify the origin of these drones.”
Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan stated that having witnessed dozens of large drones flying over his residence recently, “The public is feeling concern and frustration over the federal government’s lack of transparency and indifferent attitude.”
Experts explain that current laws restrict the measures authorities can take against drones.
While regulations exist to prevent flights over no-fly zones and sensitive areas like nuclear power plants, as well as a 400-foot altitude restriction, these rules are reportedly not well enforced.
According to the US drone detection company Dedrone, more than 1.1 million violations have occurred this year alone.
Local police in states or cities lack the authority to intercept drones, making it difficult to control violators.
Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump stated on social media, “If the federal government cannot inform the public about the reality of these drones, they should be shot down.”