**Update #2: As of January 1st 2021, Koreans will have to register their drones. How this will affect tourists is not yet known. I would imagine foreign residents will probably have to register their drones as well. This will take place online and hopefully have an English option. For more information, check this link
**Update #1: The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport have a new site for Drones, it is all in Korean but laws, notices and rules for flying in Korea can be found here. Here is the link
If you are living or traveling to South Korea, here are some rules and advice that you should know before launching your drone. This advice not only comes from the actual websites but from my own personal experience as well. Often you are going to find sites that have just copied and pasted the general drone rules for Korea and only reflect on part of the experience.
Korea has accepted drone use and actually many people quite enjoy using drones as a hobby. However, this is still a country with many military sites, competitive companies, and high-level government facilities scattered across the country. It is best to understand not only the rules, regulations, and laws, but the acceptable practices as well.
Licences and Permission
At the time of this writing, you do not need a license to fly a drone in Korea. However, if you are flying a larger commercial drone, you will need to to apply for a drone pilot’s license. However, for smaller DJI mavic series type drones, you will not need one.
If you are flying around places like Seoul, you are not going to have a great time flying. Much of Seoul is a P-73A or a P-73B NO FLY zone. This is due to the high density of government and military installations within the city limits. These are absolute no fly zones and many are compliant with the DJI Go 4 app and it simply will not let you fly. If you can, it is highly risky and if you get caught, you will face a fairly heavy fine.
Outside of these areas are what is called a R-75 which is a restricted air space but you can fly with permission. There are certain guidelines that you must follow but the government is making the process more streamlined.
**The site above seems not to be secure but it is the only one that I have come across. Check here for more information regarding obtaining permission to fly in Korea.
Outside of Seoul, you will have a much easier time but you may still need permission if you are flying near or around certain controlled airspaces. There are a lot more factories and Nuclear Power Plants dotted along the coastline that you need to be aware of. Again, the DJI app is great at picking these up.
The Basic Rules for Flying Your Drone in Korea
Here are the basics rules for flying your drone in Korea. Now keep in mind that these may not be laws but they are certainly enforced in some areas. Others in this list are guidelines and/or best practices. Source: UAV Systems International. *edited to add more clarity for Korea.
- You cannot fly higher than 150 meters (492 feet). You can set the limit in your DJI Go4 app.
- You cannot fly within 5.5km of airfields or in areas where aircraft are operating. These will be regulated in the app but also keep an eye out for hospital helipads (there are more here than you may realize).
- You must fly during daylight hours and only fly in good weather conditions. Use UAV Forecast to let you know the conditions.
- Avoid flying over crowds and respect the privacy of others. This goes double for places like Haeundae beach and other areas. There are police that will patrol these areas due to a higher rate of people taking pictures of sunbathers without permission.
- You cannot fly near Seoul Plaza, military installations, government facilities, power plants, or areas of facilities related to national security
- You cannot fly when there is low visibility or yellow dust. This is a particular issue this year and will continue to be a problem. Fly with caution.
- Do not fly your drone beyond line of sight. This can be an issue for smaller drones but keep it in mind when flying.
- Please register through the portal at https://drone.onestop.go.kr/
Common Sense
Above all, what I tell people to “use your head!” more than anything else because if you find yourself in trouble chances are you were not using your head. I just mean that if you are flying around a place that you know you shouldn’t be, then you are going to get into trouble. Especially for photography, many of the places that you shouldn’t fly are not the greatest for photography anyway.
Places like Nuclear Power Plants and Military/Police sites are no fly zones, even if your app doesn’t catch it. Just don’t do it. Again, it is common sense.
Also open spaces away from crowds and people are often acceptable to fly your drone. I find the seaside to be a great place to fly and have flown my drone along the Eastern coastal shores of Korea quite a bit these days. That being said, flying within the city may seem tempting but there is so much going on. I have flown around Ulsan and Busan quite a bit and it is tricky with so much signal interference.
Public Reaction
The one major difference that you will notice is how people approach a drone here. In the West, there is a great deal of suspicion surrounding drones. I have published some stories back in the fall and had people email me about how bad drones were. Some went so far as to tell me that my pictures do the community a disservice as they promote the active use of drones.
In contrast, the public reaction in Korea is much different. The people that I have encountered are generally accepting of drones and are even fascinated by them. I have had people come up and look at the video as I fly around or even ask questions about it. Many people even own drones themselves and have offered local tips to the best places to fly.
The only thing that I would caution you with is that if you are flying in a park or other area, drones are like magnets for children. They often don’t have a real concept of how dangerous the drone’s propellers are and will sometimes chase it or try and catch it as it is landing. Thus, you have to be extremely cautious when operating a drone when there are children around.
Where to Buy a Drone in Korea
Korea is great for shopping and there are many places to purchase a drone both online and from a physical store. DJI is the most popular brand but you can also find other brands as well through the country and online.
There is a DJI Flagship store in Hongdae in Seoul. This is the first place that I went as you can really check out all of the models and experience them first hand. The staff spoke excellent English and were very helpful.
ElectroLand, which can be found all across the country in places like E-mart and the Shinsegae Department Stores. These are great places to take a look at other brands of drones that are available in Korea. I have also found out that their prices on DJI drones are comparable to those at the flagship stores and online.
If you are looking at getting a deal, keep in mind that you are not going to get that much of a deal here in Korea. I am not sure why people have this notion that Korea of all places will have cheap prices on electronics. Typically, most of the stores will be more expensive than the U.S. or even Japan.
If you are looking some a better price, try shopping online. These days in Korea, online shopping is second to none. I purchased my mavic air online and saved around $200 when I got the “fly more” combo. So if you have a Korean friend, enlist their help. Just remember that you get what you pay for and if the deal sounds too good to be true, then you are probably buying a DJI box with a brick inside.
Places to Fly
If you get outside of Seoul, there are a ton of great places to fly. I really like flying along the coast and have found that my drone is an indispensable tool for capturing lighthouses for my recent personal project.
Also the mountains and countrysides are also great places to explore and learn how to use your drone. The cities are enticing but I do find that there is a lot of interference especially with the mavic air.
Scud
Hi there Jason! May I know why did you get your drone in Korea instead of bringing in one? Is there any regulation at the customs we need to know of?
Your info and reply will be very much appreciated!
Jason Teale
Hi, I got mine in Korea because I live here! LOL As for as for regulations, do you mean bringing them with you? As far as I know there are none. Just the usual battery storage for most airlines.
Scud
Thanks Jason, appreciate your reply! I will take note of the battery storage!
Lisa
Hi Jason we are a group of 4 adults travelling to Korea and are new drone owners can you recommend a private half day or full day drone teacher in Seoul or Busan who could take us to beautiful Korean spots to fly the drones and take photos?
Jason Teale
Hi Lisa, the issue right now is that many of the popular or beautiful spots in Korea have banned drones. there are also stiff regulations now. You may get away with flying a drone in some more remote areas but it is still a risk due to the proximity of military, industrial, and nuclear power plants. I will have a sear for any people teaching courses in Seoul or busan.
Andrey Proskurkin
Hello! I am thinking about buying a drone in Korea. Specifically mavic air.
Do you think it would be ok to fly it in national parks to get some footage of the mountain from above?!
Jason Teale
National Parks are a difficult one. I would specifically ask upon entering. Korean officials and police typically don’t mind but it depends where you are. Tourist areas in Korea are becoming less and less drone friendly. However, the more remote the area is, the less they care.
Tim
Hi Jason,
Thanks for the helpful tips! I will be traveling to Korea in December and I was wondering if you’ve ever flown your drone on Jeju Island? If so, do you have any specific tips or nice spots for photography?
Thanks!
Jason Teale
Hi Tim,
I haven’t yet flown it in Jeju. I would say that there are tons of places for great photography along the coast. Particularly the waterfalls. For drone photography you might want to check out the famous “hills” which are unique to the region. They may be interesting to see from above along with the volcanic column formations as well.
Vas
Hello Tim
I just bought a drone and been exploring the laws surrounding drones. The altitude restriction is listed as 150m does this mean 150m from sea level or from current elevation? I assumed it would have been from current position. If not then this would mean you can’t fly the drone in most mountains? Have you flown drones in the mountains?
Thanks in advance
Jason Teale
I usually go by what the altitude of the craft says in the app. I have never had any issues with my drone in the mountains unless they have signs indicating a “no drone zone” which a few places have put up recently.
Akmal
hello ill be going to korea this december and one of the place that was programmed to visit is at everland theme park seoul, is it possible to fly over there?
Jason Teale
I would not advise it. Seoul is really hard to find a place to fly because of all the overlapping “No Fly” zones. Everland, being a popular theme park in a popular area of Seoul would be extremely difficult and you could even face a fine. Laws are stricter in Seoul due to the high concentration of government buildings. Popular attractions like Everland usually have security to maintain the safety of the park-goers. So again, I would not fly around the theme park unless you have permission from the city and the park.
Ben
Hi Jason, I know somebody already asked about flying in National Parks but just want to ask about Seoraksan National Park specifically if that’s a NFZ in your opinion? Thanks!
Jason Teale
I would think so. In more remote parts you could possibly get away with it but due to the popularity of Seoraksan, I would be willing to bet that people have flown there and caused an issue. I will ask my Korean drone friends and see for sure. I will let you know soon.
johan
can we carry our drone with us in the south korean airport
Jason Teale
Yes, I think that you can. Just make sure that your batteries are in your carry on.
Kai
Can i know about how many place can fly drone but before this im flying drone yecheon area someone people reprimand me can’t fly drone in korea so now i do not fly drone at will.haha
Jason Teale
Take a look through the article as I recommend some apps that can help you find places to fly. As a rule Seoul is basically a “no fly zone” Outside of Seoul in rural areas, you can fly without any issues.
Mahfuz
I am in busan… Recently I purchased a Dji mini 4 pro drone…Can I fly and record videos at sondo, dadeapo, sasang without reporting and media permission from onestop.go.kr
Jason Teale
You need to register your flights and I would highly recommend NOT flying your drone around Dadaepo as it is directly in the flight path of the Gimhae airport. Do the work because they take this stuff seriously now. Especially around those areas that you mentioned. check this link for more info
Ini
I use a drone for building photography. Can I fly then in/ around Seoul if I don’t go over the building height/ stay below 25m?
Jason Teale
If you are doing official photography then I would get as much permission as you can. If it is for personal stuff and instagram, I would not risk it. Seoul has so many restricted areas that makes it difficult to not cross into a restricted zone. Since the time of this writing, many more restrictions have been put in place especially for Seoul. I believe the fine is somewhere around 2 million won if you get caught. I can’t confirm that but I have heard that they are starting to fine people for drone usage around the country.
Nick
Hi Jason,
Useful tips, I’ll be in South korea for 3 weeks, 4 nights in Seoul, rest around busan area.
I was thinking to bring dvi mini 3 pro, instead of my heavier air2s. Is there any new changes or newer things to be concerned of. I know seoul is pretty much off limits for flying.
Thanks
Jason Teale
Hi Nice, sorry for the late reply I was on vacation. Basically, the only thing that I have noticed over the years since this article has been more people being aware of drones. Meaning that before people were sort of intrigued by them and now as they are more common place they are a little more aware and concerned and more likely to report you. So with that beings said, just use your head and fly in areas that won’t cause too many problems and that are away from all of the sensitive areas.
Rochie
Hi Jason! Do you know an agency or a drone show provider who offers drone show in South Korea? This for a special celebration. I hope you know one, like offers 200 drones or something for a show. Thank you!!
Jason Teale
Hi, that is something that I haven’t thought of for a private event! One option would be to find out who puts on the drone shows for Gwangali beach and see if they are able to do private events. The other would be to check out the Drone Show in Bexco in February and see any businesses are running that sort of thing.
Stephane
Hi Jason,
thanks for you page. I’m coming to seoul and wanted to apply for special authorisation (personal artistic project over cities) but cannot find any contact email on the official websites. I cannot either register to apply… any tips to succeed getting in touch with authorities to get the proper authorisations ?
thanks for your help
Jason Teale
I think in this case you might want to hire a fixer or a korean person that can help get the authorization and proper permits for you. Seoul is a tough place to fly over dues to the large concentration of government and military buildings clustered in and around the city. To make matters worse, the sites are not as foreign-friendly as many would like them to be. So having a korean fixer to help navigate to forms would be the best way. I will see if I can find any contacts for you.
Andrew
Hi Jason, thank you for your time.
As I understood, as a foreign tourist, I will not need any registration or license to fly recreationally any drone below 2kg. Could you please confirm if you understand this same way?
Ibrahim
Hi Jason, I live and work in Seoul (since early 2020). I’m into drones and have been lately having the urge to buy the new DJI Air 3, but I want first to find a spot to fly to. Could you please recommend one or two specific places/spots outside Seoul but within reasonable commuting distance by public transportation (I don’t have a car), something about say up to two hours commute.
Many thanks.
CK
Good day to you Jason. Hope this message finds you well. You’ve got a great eye behind the lens.
I do have a couple questions for you. I am traveling to South Korea later this month (September 2025) and wanted to bring my DJI drone with me, which is rated at 249g and I intend to capture some aerial shots as a hobbyist.
1. Is there any major changes or updates about drone laws and/or regulations as of September 2025 that I should be aware of?
2. Are there more dedicated drone parks/locations for hobbyists, and if so, do you have any information or links?
I haven’t been able to find a solid answer I can rely on so far. Any information you could provide is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Jason Teale
Hi CJ,
Thanks so much for the kind words—I really appreciate it, and I’m glad you reached out. Bringing your DJI (249 g) drone on your trip later this month sounds like a great idea! Here’s the latest info as of September 2025 that should help you out:
1. Laws & Regulations (September 2025)
Your 249 g drone is exempt from registration, licensing, and insurance requirements.
You must still follow all operational rules, including:
Max altitude: 150 m above ground.
No flights within ~5 nm (about 9.3 km) of airports.
Restricted zones: much of central Seoul, military/government facilities, nuclear plants, Blue House area, etc.
Daylight & VLOS only (unless you have special permission).
Keep clear of crowds (at least 30 m away).
Respect privacy laws—avoid filming people without consent.
Temporary restrictions can pop up around big events or government sites, so always check before flying.
2. Drone Parks & Hobbyist Zones
South Korea currently has 29 official drone parks, including popular ones like:
Gwangnaru (Han River, Seoul)
Sihwa Lake
Yangpyeong
Wangsan (Incheon)
Daejeon Geumgang Beach
Yeongsan River (Gwangju)
In addition, as of July 2025, there are 67 “free drone zones” across 32 municipalities outside of Seoul, set up specifically for recreation, testing, and leisure flying.
These areas are your best bet for safe and hassle-free flights.
Quick Recap
✅ Your sub-250 g drone = no registration or license needed.
🚫 Avoid Seoul, airports, military/government zones, hospitals, and big crowds.
📍 Check out the official drone parks/free zones for easy flying.
⚠️ Stay alert for temporary no-fly notices near government or event areas.
Bottom line: You’ll have no problem flying your 249 g drone as a tourist, as long as you stick to the general rules, use your head and use the designated drone parks/zones when you can. Rural areas, coastlines, and official drone zones are much more relaxed compared to Seoul. However, many of the coastal areas around Busan are no fly zones due to the Nuclear Power Plants.
Also I would just say that Seoul is pretty much a no fly zone, so I would not even think about flying it anywhere in the city.
Safe travels and happy flying, CJ—hope you capture some amazing aerial shots of Korea!