Destination guide · MOLIT / Korea Office of Civil Aviation (KOCA); KOTSA Drone One-Stop portal
Flying a drone in South Korea
Doable with prepBased on secondary sources, last reviewed 2026-06-12
Sub-250 g is workable in permitted zones; 250 g and above is effectively blocked for tourists by Korean-phone identity verification.
Status can change without notice — confirm with MOLIT / Korea Office of Civil Aviation (KOCA); KOTSA Drone One-Stop portal immediately before travel.
DMZ buffer zones are being widened by February-2026 legislation; the security situation can change restrictions without notice.
Can a tourist register?
No. Portal identity verification requires a Korean mobile phone number AND a Korean identity number — a hard wall for short-stay visitors at 250 g and above. Sub-250 g visitor flying is legal in allowed zones.
Key limits
RegistrationRequired from 250 g
Altitude limit150 m
Test / trainingNot required
InsuranceNot required
Aerial photography needs separate military approval (4 business days). Online course/exam tiers start at 250 g (Class 4). Portal: Drone One-Stop (Korean only).
Customs & entry
Personal drone import is fine. P-73 prohibited zone over central Seoul; Incheon/Gimpo CTRs; 10-15 km DMZ buffer zones.
Official map / portal
https://drone.onestop.go.kr/Sources
- https://drone.onestop.go.kr/
- https://drone-laws.com/drone-laws-in-south-korea/
- https://droneandcam.com/en/post/drone-legislation-in-south-korea-the-essential-guide/
Confidence: medium
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This is general information, not legal advice. Rules change — always verify with MOLIT / Korea Office of Civil Aviation (KOCA); KOTSA Drone One-Stop portal before flying. FlyCheck covers national rules only; local restrictions (airports, parks, cities) also apply.