🇰🇷South Korea

Flying a drone that requires a pilot license without holding one can result in a fine of up to 4 million KRW.

Violating basic drone pilot safety rules (such as flying under the influence or in unsafe conditions) can result in a fine of up to 3 million KRW.

You must not arrange, broker, or facilitate the lending or borrowing of drone pilot certificates or names.

If your drone weighs more than 250 grams (maximum takeoff weight, including fuel), you must obtain a remote pilot certificate to fly it. Drones weighing 250 grams or less are exempt from this requirement.

You must obtain a valid drone pilot certificate before flying any drone or ultralight vehicle that requires licensing under the law.

If an official asks you to take a breathalyzer or drug test while you are operating a drone, you must comply. Refusing the test carries a penalty of up to 3 years in prison or a 30 million KRW fine.

Never fly a drone while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating substances. Do not consume them while operating.

Drone pilots and unmanned aircraft operators are not required to obtain a standard manned aviation pilot license to operate unmanned aircraft.

You must not fly a drone that requires safety certification if you do not have the proper remote pilot license. Violating this rule can result in up to 1 year in prison or a 10 million KRW fine.

Your drone pilot certificate can be suspended or permanently revoked if you violate safety rules, fly under the influence of alcohol or drugs, refuse sobriety tests, cause serious accidents, or lend your certificate to others.

As a drone pilot, you must follow all safety rules to ensure your flight does not cause injury to people or damage to property.

You are strictly prohibited from flying a drone or operating drone equipment while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Lending your drone pilot license to someone else, borrowing someone else's license, or arranging such a trade can lead to a fine of up to 3 million KRW.

You are not allowed to fly a drone using someone else's name or borrow another person's pilot certificate.

You must never lend your drone pilot certificate to anyone else or allow another person to fly a drone under your name.

Do not fly a drone while drunk or under the influence of drugs, and do not drink alcohol while flying. Doing so can lead to up to 3 years in prison or a 30 million KRW fine.

You can be fined up to 1 million KRW if you fly a drone without carrying or installing the legally required safety or communication equipment.

You do not need a pilot certificate to fly an unmanned airship if its empty weight is 12 kg or less and its length is 7 meters or less.

Under Korean law, a drone (unmanned airplane, helicopter, multicopter, or VTOL) is classified as an 'unmanned powered flying device' if its empty weight, excluding fuel, is 150 kg or less.

Drones and other unmanned flying devices are not required to carry emergency rescue equipment, tracking devices, first-aid kits, or radio communication gear that are otherwise mandatory for certain manned ultralight aircraft.

Unmanned free balloons are only regulated as ultralight flying devices under these rules if they carry an external object weighing 2 kg or more.

The mandatory insurance requirement for ultra-light flying devices specifically applies to unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).

Under Korean law, a drone is any unmanned aircraft (including unmanned flight devices and unmanned aircraft) that flies without a pilot on board and meets the standards set by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Drones and other unmanned flight devices are legally classified as 'ultra-light flying devices' (초경량비행장치) under Korean law, subject to specific weight and design criteria set by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

If your unmanned aerial vehicle exceeds the weight or specification limits set for ultralight flying devices, it is legally classified as an 'aircraft' (무인항공기) rather than a drone, subjecting it to much stricter aviation safety regulations.

An unmanned airship is regulated under this category if its empty weight (excluding fuel) is 180 kg or less and its total length is 20 meters or less.

Certified unmanned aircraft (무인항공기) are not required to carry ILS, VOR, or DME receivers, which are otherwise mandatory for certain manned aircraft.

Drones are classified into four categories based on weight: Class 1 (over 25 kg), Class 2 (7 kg to 25 kg), Class 3 (2 kg to 7 kg), and Class 4 (250 g to 2 kg). Your pilot license requirements depend on which class your drone falls into.

A drone must be capable of being remotely piloted, flying automatically along a pre-set path, or flying autonomously by sensing and adapting to its environment.

A drone is defined as an aircraft that has one or more motors or engines and can be controlled from the ground.

If you operate a certified unmanned aircraft (무인항공기), you must equip it with two VHF/UHF radios to communicate with air traffic control, an SSR transponder, and an automatic emergency locator transmitter (ELT).

If you operate a commercial drone business and fail to comply with official safety orders issued by the authorities, you can face a fine of up to 10 million KRW.

If you are inspected by the authorities regarding your aviation business, lying or making false statements during questioning can result in a fine of up to 5 million KRW.

If you are registering a drone business, the portal processing time is approximately 14 business days.

The government can order you to improve your business operations or safety measures, especially after a drone accident, and you must comply.

You cannot register a commercial drone business if you meet any disqualification criteria under the law, or if your previous business registration was cancelled less than two years ago.

If you want to be certified as an 'excellent drone operator' in Korea, your business must have been registered for at least 3 years without any history of aviation accidents, safety violations, business suspensions, or bidding bans during that period. You must also meet financial and technical standards.

If you operate a commercial drone business, the devices you are legally allowed to use are classified as unmanned flight devices (drones) under the Aviation Safety Act.

If you want to start a commercial drone business in South Korea, you must register your business with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport by submitting an application and a business plan.

Commercial drone operators are allowed to perform services like crop dusting, aerial photography, surveying, forest monitoring, and flight instruction. You must not engage in activities that threaten public safety or national security.

To register a commercial drone business, you must own at least one drone or ultra-light flying device.

If you run a commercial drone business, you must display your service fees and terms of service in a clearly visible place at your office or business location so that customers can easily read them.

If your status as an outstanding drone operator is cancelled or suspended, you must return your designation certificate and official certification mark to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

You are prohibited from using a drone for commercial or money-making activities unless you are officially registered under an authorized business category, such as an ultralight flying device flight business.

If the authorities issue an official order to improve your commercial drone business operations, you must comply. Failure to do so can result in a fine of up to 10 million KRW.

If you change any of the registered details of your drone business, you must report these changes to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

If you temporarily pause or permanently close your commercial drone business, you must file a report with the government.

If you operate drones commercially for compensation to meet others' needs, you are classified as a drone-using business. However, this definition excludes any business activities that could threaten public safety or national security.

If your commercial drone business violates regulations, you may face a penalty surcharge of up to 30 million KRW instead of having your business operations suspended.

A company will not be fined for an employee's violation if the company can prove it exercised proper care and supervision to prevent the illegal activity.

To apply for the 'excellent drone operator' designation, you must submit the official application form along with documents proving your 3-year clean record and compliance with technical standards to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

You cannot let anyone else run a commercial drone business using your registered business name, trade name, or registration certificate.

Using a drone or other ultra-light flying device for commercial purposes without proper authorization or registration is illegal and can result in up to 6 months in prison or a fine of up to 5 million KRW.

If you operate a commercial drone business, the aviation authorities can issue safety improvement orders. You must comply with these orders, which may require you to remove uncertified equipment, follow manufacturer maintenance and flight manuals, verify that your pilots hold valid licenses, and provide safety training to your pilots.

Commercial drone businesses generally need at least 30 million KRW in capital. However, this capital requirement is waived if you only operate drones weighing 25 kg or less.

Registered commercial drone business operators are strictly prohibited from lending their business name or registration to other people. Violators face up to 1 year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million KRW.

If you use a drone to provide services like aerial photography, agricultural spraying, or other specified tasks for money or compensation, your business is legally classified as an 'Ultralight Vehicle Use Business'.

You must register your commercial drone business before operating. Running an unregistered drone business can lead to up to 1 year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million KRW.

If you operate drones for commercial purposes (such as paid transport, crop dusting, or aerial photography), you are classified as a "drone business operator" under the law.

You are not allowed to fly an unmanned aircraft at night.

Do not fly your drone at night (from sunset to sunrise) unless you have obtained a special flight approval for night operations.

You cannot fly your drone at night unless you have obtained special flight approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

When registering your drone on the Drone One-Stop portal, expect the processing to take approximately 7 business days.

If your drone weighs 2 kg or less (MTOW) and you only fly it for non-commercial purposes (like hobby use), you do not need to register it with the government.

If you own or have the right to use a drone or other ultra-light flying device, you must register it with the government, unless your specific device is exempt under the law.

If your registered drone is lost, destroyed, or permanently retired, you must file a de-registration report with the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (TSA) within 15 days of the event.

You must register your drone (or report any changes to its registration) before flying it. Flying an unregistered drone can lead to up to 6 months in prison or a 5 million KRW fine.

If you do not display your drone's registration number on the aircraft, or if you display a fake number, you can be fined up to 1 million KRW.

If you operate an unmanned aircraft, your aircraft is eligible to apply for a Special Airworthiness Certificate under the Aviation Safety Act.

You must display your drone's registration number on the aircraft itself, following the specific size and placement rules set by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority.

Tethered drones (drones physically connected to the ground by a cable) do not need to be registered, as long as they are not used for commercial business.

If your registered drone is lost, destroyed, or permanently retired, you must report its de-registration. Failing to do so can result in a fine of up to 300,000 KRW.

If you fly a drone that requires safety certification without getting one, you can be fined up to 5 million KRW.

If you change your registered drone's purpose or your name, you must file a change report with the government.

If you change your registered drone's purpose, your name, address, or where you store it, you must report this change to the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (TS) within 30 days.

If your drone (unmanned powered flying device) has a maximum takeoff weight of more than 25 kg, it must obtain safety certification before it can be flown.

If your registered drone is lost or permanently dismantled, you must file a de-registration report within 15 days. You do not need to report temporary dismantling for maintenance, transport, or storage.

Unmanned airships (like blimps) with an empty weight of 12 kg or less and a length of 7 meters or less do not need to be registered, provided they are not used for commercial business.

If you operate an unmanned airship that weighs more than 12 kg (excluding fuel) or is longer than 7 meters, it must undergo and pass safety certification.

You must obtain a safety certificate (안전성인증) for your drone or ultralight flying device before flying it, ensuring it meets the government's technical safety standards.

You must carry your drone's registration certificate with you whenever you fly.

If you do not report your drone's loss or dismantling, the government will give you at least 30 days to do so. If you still fail to report, they can cancel your registration number automatically.

Once you receive your drone's registration number, you must clearly display or label it on the drone itself.

You must register your drone with the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (TSA) before getting its safety certification, or within 30 days of acquiring it if it does not require safety certification. You need to submit proof of ownership, specifications, and a side photo showing the serial number.

Always keep a lookout for manned airplanes or helicopters and steer clear of them immediately.

You must obtain prior flight approval if you plan to fly above the standard altitude limit (typically 150 meters) or inside control zones and restricted airspaces.

Do not fly your drone in restricted airspace without official approval. Doing so can result in a fine of up to 5 million KRW.

You must get flight approval before flying in controlled, restricted, or caution airspace. However, if your drone weighs 25 kg or less, you can fly below 150 meters without approval, provided you are outside of control zones (near airports) and flight-prohibited areas.

When applying for permission to fly in restricted airspace, you must submit your application to the Regional Aviation Administration, or to the Ministry of National Defense if the airspace is under military jurisdiction.

You must not fly your drone in a military Flight Safety Zone unless you get prior approval from the commanding officer of the military unit responsible for that airspace.

You must get permission from air traffic control before flying an unmanned aircraft in controlled, restricted, or advisory airspace.

If you fly an ultralight flying device in a restricted airspace, you must carry or install specific rescue support equipment to assist in emergencies.

Drones (unmanned flying devices) are exempt from the requirement to carry or install rescue support equipment when flying in restricted airspaces.

If you are flying a powered drone, you must yield the right of way to all manned aircraft, light aircraft, and non-powered gliders or balloons.

If you plan to take aerial photos or videos, submit your application at least 4 business days in advance.

Apply for flight permission at least 3 business days in advance, as processing typically takes this long.

If you need a special flight approval (such as for night flights or out-of-visual-line-of-sight flights), you should apply at least 30 business days in advance.

If the authorities temporarily suspend your drone flights or pilot duties, they must notify you of the reasons and required actions (in writing, or verbally followed by a written notice). Once they confirm the issues are resolved, they will notify you that you can fly or resume your duties again.

The authorities will review your special flight application within 30 days (up to 90 days for new technologies). They may grant the approval with specific conditions on when, where, and how you can fly to ensure safety and minimize noise or privacy issues.

You do not need a safety certificate for test flights, provided you have obtained official permission from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport beforehand.

If you regularly fly your drone in the same area, you can obtain a recurring flight approval that is valid for up to 12 months.

If you want to fly your drone at night or beyond your line of sight (BVLOS), you must apply for a Special Flight Approval. You need to submit an application form along with documents showing your drone's specifications, flight plan, pilot qualifications, and insurance if required.

If you operate a drone for a state or public agency, you can only claim emergency flight exemptions if the mission is for specific public interest purposes like search and rescue, firefighting, or emergency medical transport.

You do not need flight approval to fly within 3 km of a non-military airport and below 500 feet, as long as you coordinate and get agreement beforehand with the airport's air traffic control service.

If your drone technology is officially designated as an 'advanced drone technology,' you are exempt from having to separately obtain safety certification, radio conformity assessment, and agricultural machinery testing.

If you want to fly a drone or other ultralight flying device in a designated flight restriction area, you must obtain flight approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport before taking off.

If you fly your drone in restricted airspace or under conditions requiring approval without getting permission first, you can be fined up to 3 million KRW.

You cannot fly an unmanned aircraft (classified under the Act as '무인항공기') unless you have obtained flight permission from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

If you have a flight permit but fly outside the specific limits or conditions approved in that permit, you can be fined up to 3 million KRW.

To get a test flight permit, you must submit an application form to the Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology (KIAST) along with technical documents, flight plans, safety measures, and photos of the drone.

If you fly drones for designated public corporations or agencies approved by the government for urgent public-interest missions, your operations may qualify for special legal exemptions.

Drones weighing 7 kg or less used for educational purposes can get a special 12-month flight approval to fly in restricted zones, provided they stay within school playgrounds, fly during school hours, and keep below 20 meters.

If your drone has a maximum takeoff weight of 25 kg or less, you do not need to apply for flight approval as long as you fly outside of controlled, prohibited, or restricted airspaces.

If your drone operations or pilot duties are temporarily suspended by the aviation authorities, you must complete the required corrective actions and submit the results to them so they can verify and lift the suspension.

If you plan to fly in restricted airspace, you must submit a flight approval application form via document, fax, or online before your flight.

If you plan to operate your drone at night or beyond visual line of sight, you must apply for special flight approval and undergo safety inspections through the Regional Aviation Administration.

When applying for special night flight approval, you can submit your regular flight permission application at the same time.

If you plan to fly an unmanned aircraft (typically over 150 kg), you must submit a flight permit application along with supporting documents at least 7 days before your flight.

State, local government, or public institution drones used for urgent public missions like firefighting, search and rescue, or disaster response are exempt from certain standard flight restrictions (such as night flight or flight over crowds), as long as they have established safety management plans.

If you are testing a drone that is still under research and development, or testing a certified drone after making performance upgrades, you must obtain a test flight permit before flying.

You do not need flight approval to fly within 3 km of a take-off/landing site and below 500 feet, provided you have coordinated and agreed in advance with the site manager.

If you operate a drone for commercial business, rental, or leisure sports, or if you are a government/public institution owning a drone, you must purchase liability insurance or mutual aid before operating.

Your drone insurance policy must meet the minimum legal coverage limits: bodily injury/death coverage must match the standard automobile insurance liability limits, and property damage coverage must also meet the standard automobile insurance property liability limits.

If you fly a drone (ultralight flying device) that requires mandatory insurance without having active insurance or mutual aid coverage, you can be fined up to 5 million KRW.

After purchasing, changing, or renewing your drone insurance, you must submit proof of insurance to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

If you are required to hold drone insurance, you must report your insurance subscription, renewal, or any changes to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport within 7 days, submitting the required report form and a copy of your insurance certificate.

You must submit accurate insurance documents when requested by the Ministry. Failing to submit them or providing false information carries a fine of up to 5 million KRW.

The Regional Aviation Administration has the authority to suspend or revoke your drone pilot certificate if you violate aviation safety regulations.

A drone training academy must have at least one classroom, one office, a takeoff and landing area, at least one training drone, and an electronic system to track student attendance.

If you want to establish an official drone training academy, you must submit an application to the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (TSA) detailing your instructors, facilities, equipment, and training curriculum.

To be certified as a drone training academy, you must have at least one qualified instructor (minimum 100 hours of drone piloting experience + instructor course) and one practical examiner (minimum 150 hours of drone piloting experience + examiner course).

You must never fly a camera drone to film inside highly private spaces like restrooms, public baths, or changing rooms, unless it is an emergency rescue situation.

If you use a camera-equipped drone to film people or their belongings in violation of the strict prohibitions (such as filming in private spaces or without meeting the opt-out/notice requirements), you can be fined up to 50 million KRW.

When flying a drone, you must respect privacy laws and ensure you do not violate anyone's rights when collecting or transmitting personal data or location information.

If you are filming people in public with your drone, you must make sure they know by using lights, sounds, or signs to show that filming is in progress.

When flying a drone with a camera for work, you cannot film people in public areas unless you have their consent, a legal reason, or you clearly show you are filming and they do not object.

If you fail to implement proper security measures to protect the video data captured by your drone from being leaked, stolen, or lost, you can be fined up to 30 million KRW.

If you operate a camera drone to film people in public spaces without complying with the basic legal requirements (such as clearly indicating that filming is in progress), you can face a fine of up to 30 million KRW.

If you fly a drone near an airport or airfield without proper flight approval, authorities are legally authorized to repel, shoot down, or capture your drone.

Flying a drone in a control zone near an airport without permission and causing flight delays or diversions is a serious offense punishable by a fine of up to 5 million KRW.

An airstrip or takeoff/landing site is a specific area outside of official airfields designated for the takeoff and landing of light aircraft and ultralight flying devices (including drones).

If you fly your drone illegally near an airport and it has to be repelled or disabled, causing damage or loss to others, the authorities or airport operators will compensate the victims first and then legally demand that you reimburse them for the full amount.

A 'Flight Safety Zone' is an area designated around military airfields to ensure military aircraft can safely take off and land. Flying drones in these zones is highly restricted and requires prior military approval.

If you fly your drone in an officially designated Drone Park, you may be exempt from flight approval requirements and certain remote pilot certification requirements.

The government can set up specific drone flight paths that pilots must be aware of and potentially use when the traffic management system is running.

Taking photos, videos, or mapping military bases and facilities with a drone without proper authorization is a serious offense punishable by up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million KRW.

Flight safety zones are established around military airfields to protect military aircraft operations. Drone pilots must identify these restricted areas, as operating within them generally requires military authorization.

An 'Air Defense Coordination Zone' is designated to support air defense operations (such as around Seoul). Drone flights in these areas may require coordination or prior approval from the military.

If you operate within a designated Special Drone Liberalization Zone, you may benefit from exemptions or simplified procedures for flight approvals, safety certifications, special flight approvals, and radio conformity assessments.

A 'Military Base and Military Facility Protection Zone' is a designated area to protect military assets. It is divided into Controlled Protection Zones (near borders or critical facilities) and Restricted Protection Zones. Drone flights in these areas generally require military authorization.

For the purposes of drone park regulations, the designated drones are Class 4 unmanned powered flying devices, which have a maximum take-off weight between 250g and 2kg.

If your drone is involved in an accident, you must report it immediately to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. If you cannot make the report, the drone owner must do it.

If an accident occurs during an urgent public interest drone flight, the report should be made to the head of the relevant agency in charge, who will then forward the report to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

If a person dies within 30 days of a drone accident due to injuries sustained in that accident, it is legally classified as a death resulting from the accident, which triggers immediate accident reporting obligations.

If your drone is involved in an accident causing injury or serious damage, you must report it. Failing to report or lying about it can lead to a fine of up to 300,000 KRW.

An unmanned aircraft (무인항공기) is a remotely piloted aircraft. For accident reporting, the flight duration is counted from the moment the drone starts moving to fly until it completely stops its engine after landing.

An accident is classified as causing death or serious injury if a person on board is harmed, or if anyone is killed or seriously injured by direct contact with the drone or its falling parts during flight or flight preparation.

A 'serious injury' from a drone accident includes injuries requiring more than 48 hours of hospitalization within 7 days, major fractures (excluding nose, fingers, or toes), severe bleeding, nerve/muscle damage, significant burns, internal organ damage, or exposure to radiation or infectious agents. If anyone sustains such injuries, you must report the accident.

If your drone is involved in an accident causing injury or property damage, you must report the incident to the Regional Aviation Administration.

If your drone is involved in an accident causing injury or property damage, you or the drone owner must report the details (including when, where, how it happened, and registration details) to the Regional Aviation Administration.

If your drone (classified as an ultra-light flying device) causes death, serious injury, crashes, catches fire, or goes missing between takeoff and landing, it is legally classified as an ultra-light flying device accident.

If you operate a commercial drone business and need to change your registered business plan, you must submit an application for alteration authorization (Form 14) to the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (TSA).

To start a commercial drone business, you must submit a registration application to the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (TS). Your application must include a business plan detailing your safety management measures, accident response manuals, and proof of your business location.

You must submit a change report form and supporting documents to the Korea Transportation Safety Authority within 30 days of any reportable business change.

If you are starting, changing, transferring, or closing a drone business (ultra-light flying device business), you must submit your registration and reports to the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (TS) rather than the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

If you make minor changes to your drone business (such as changing your office address, company name, representative, or the number of registered drones), you must report the change to the Korea Transportation Safety Authority (TSA) within 30 days using Form 16.

To legally operate a commercial drone business (such as aerial photography or spraying for hire), you must register your business with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

If your drone business changes its name, representative, office location, business scope, or reduces its capital, you must officially report these changes.

To register a commercial drone business, you must meet the specific capital, aircraft, and personnel requirements detailed in Table 9 of the Enforcement Decree.

If the aviation authorities request reports or documents regarding your drone operations, business, or training, you are legally required to submit them.

Do not fly your unmanned aircraft if fog or weather prevents you from seeing ground targets, and always adhere to the official visibility and cloud distance limits.

You must keep your drone within your direct line of sight at all times during flight, unless you have a special approval for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.

Do not drop any items from your drone that could hurt people or damage property on the ground.

State and public drone operators utilizing emergency exemptions must establish a safety management plan covering maintenance, pilot training, emergency contacts, liability insurance, and flight logs.

Do not fly unmanned aircraft in a way that threatens people or property, and avoid flying over crowded areas like residential or commercial districts.

Avoid flying your drone too close to buildings in crowded areas where there is a risk of crashing into them.

Do not fly your drone over crowded areas, residential zones, or commercial districts in a dangerous way that could harm people or property.

Generally, you must fly below 150 meters (500 feet) from the ground or water. In crowded areas, the limit is 150 meters above the tallest obstacle within a 150-meter radius of your drone.