You can fly a drone in South Korea as a visitor, but it takes planning. Flights must stay below 150 m, in daylight and in sight, and outside the large restricted areas around Seoul and airports. Taking aerial photos or video generally needs approval, applied for through the government's Drone One-Stop portal. Registration and pilot certification depend on your drone's weight, and sub-250 g drones face the fewest requirements.
Where approvals come from
South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) runs drone registration, flight approval and airspace information through the Drone One-Stop portal. The site is in Korean and typically asks for a Korean phone number to verify identity, which is a hurdle for short-term visitors. If you plan to fly, contact the portal's help line or a local drone service early, or ask your hotel to help.
Key points:
- Aerial photography: taking photos or video from a drone generally needs approval in advance, and some areas are refused for security reasons.
- Registration and certification: required for heavier drones and commercial operators. Lighter drones (under 250 g) have the lightest requirements. Check the portal for the current thresholds.
- Commercial flights need insurance and an operator registration.
Flying rules
- Max 150 m (492 ft) above ground
- Visual line of sight
- No flights between sunset and sunrise
- Stay away from airports; their control zones extend well beyond the runways
- Don't fly over crowds or events
- National parks restrict drones
Seoul
Seoul is one of the harder cities in the world for hobby drones. Central Seoul has a prohibited zone around the presidential and government areas, and much of the rest of the city sits under restricted or controlled airspace tied to security and Gimpo Airport. The portal's flight-area map shows red (no-fly), controlled and open areas. Seoul offers designated drone parks along the Han River for supervised hobby flying; check current locations on the portal before you go.
Jeju and the countryside
Jeju's airport sits next to Jeju City, and much of the island's landscape lies in national park or heritage areas. Coastal spots far from the airport are your best bet, with approval. See flying a drone in Jeju. Elsewhere, rural coasts and farmland away from military areas are more realistic than cities. Military sites are common near borders and coasts, so stay well clear.
Which drone to bring
A light drone keeps paperwork to a minimum:
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: 249 g, omnidirectional sensing.
- DJI Mini 5 Pro: 249 g, 1-inch sensor for coastlines and temple valleys.
- DJI Neo: 135 g, quick clips in approved drone parks.
Temporary restrictions pop up during festivals, state visits and military exercises. Check the portal on the day you fly.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
Pack your drone with traveling with a drone, and compare Japan in drone laws in Japan.
Related guides
- Drone laws in South Africa: flying there as a US tourist
- Drone laws in Argentina: flying there as a US tourist
- Drone laws in Aruba: flying there as a US tourist
- Drone laws in Australia: flying there as a US tourist
- Drone laws in Austria: flying there as a US tourist
- Drone laws in Bali (Indonesia): flying there as a US tourist
Not sure which to pick?
Tell us what you'll fly and your budget. One of our drone pilots will reply with a recommendation.
Buying drones for a business, agency or store? Get wholesale pricing →
