City guide
Flying a drone in Busan
Updated 2026-11-10 · 한국어 · Русский
The guide explains how the procedures work and is not legal advice. It does not confirm that you can fly at a particular place: that is decided by the competent authority on application. The sources and the date they were checked are at the end of the page. Zone boundaries change: check the Drone One-Stop map.
In short
- Western Busan lies inside the Gimhae Airport control zone (관제권, 9.3 km radius): you do not take off there without 비행승인.
- The north-east of the city, Gijang County, falls inside the prohibited area around the Kori nuclear power plant (18.5 km radius). Since 17 September 2026, flying there without approval is punishable by up to one year in prison or a fine of up to KRW 10 million.
- Haeundae Beach and the Seomyeon district are marked on the map as danger areas (위험구역).
- On beaches and promenades the general ban on flying over crowds applies, and a night flight needs a 특별비행승인.
Check your spot in the app
Korea Drone Zones is free, with no sign-up and no ads: zones, active NOTAMs and weather for the point you pick.
Which zones cover the city
- Gimhae Airport
- Aerodrome control zone (관제권) with a 9.3 km radius in the west of the city. The airport is a top-category national security facility. Flight approval is issued by the regional aviation office (지방항공청); the application is filed through Drone One-Stop.
- Kori nuclear power plant: P-61
- Prohibited area (비행금지구역) around the plant in the north-east, 18.5 km radius. Flying a drone inside it requires 비행승인 obtained in advance.
- D-35, D-36
- Danger areas (위험구역) over Seomyeon and over Haeundae.
- R-143, R-157
- Restricted areas (비행제한구역): flights only with approval.
- NOTAM
- Temporary restrictions with a specific validity period: read them together with the permanent zones.
Where zones overlap, approval is needed from every authority involved.
Well-known places on the zone map
According to the zone snapshot the app shows (checked on 10 November 2026):
- Haeundae Beach, Dongbaekseom Island
- Danger area D-36.
- Seomyeon
- Danger area D-35.
- Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Gijang, Ilgwang Beach
- Prohibited area of the Kori nuclear power plant (P-61).
- Eulsukdo Island, Samnak Park, Daejeo
- Gimhae Airport control zone.
A place missing from this list does not mean there are no restrictions there: check the exact point on the map together with active NOTAMs.
How to apply
- Check the point on the official Drone One-Stop map or in the app.
- File 비행승인 on the Drone One-Stop portal before the flight. The processing time stated in the portal guidance is 3 days.
- A night flight or a flight beyond visual line of sight needs a separate 특별비행승인, which takes up to 30 days.
The 150 m altitude rule and approval inside zones also apply to drones under 250 g. General rules: drone laws in South Korea. See also: flying a drone in Seoul, flying a drone in Jeju.
Penalties for flying without approval
- In the prohibited area of the Kori plant, since 17 September 2026: imprisonment of up to 1 year or a criminal fine (벌금) of up to KRW 10 million. Before that, it was an administrative fine (과태료) of up to KRW 3 million.
- In the Gimhae Airport control zone, according to 한국공항공사: an administrative fine (과태료) of up to KRW 3 million or a criminal fine (벌금) of up to KRW 5 million.
A drone near the airport stops take-offs and landings, so the zone is watched by the military and the police.
Frequent questions
Can I fly a drone at Haeundae Beach?
The beach is marked on the map as danger area D-36, and flying over people on the beach is prohibited whatever approval you hold. The decision on a particular flight is made by the authority on application.
Do I need approval for a drone under 250 g?
Pilot training is not required for such a drone, but the airport control zone, the prohibited area of the nuclear plant and the 150 m altitude rule apply at any weight.
Is Gijang inside the prohibited area?
Yes: central Gijang, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple and Ilgwang Beach lie inside the Kori plant area. See the exact boundary on the map.
Check the spot before you fly
The Korea Drone Zones app shows permanent zones, active NOTAMs, national parks and heritage sites for the point you pick in Busan: Google Play, details on the home page. The app does not issue approvals and does not replace an application.
Check your spot in the app
Korea Drone Zones is free, with no sign-up and no ads: zones, active NOTAMs and weather for the point you pick.
Sources
Checked on 10 November 2026. The sources are in Korean.
- 한국공항공사 on the Gimhae Airport control zone (Asia Economy, 19 May 2026).
- 고리원자력본부 on the prohibited area around the plant (Financial News, 9 September 2026).
- Seoul Metropolitan Government: penalties since 17 September 2026.
- Drone One-Stop: guidance on approvals and processing times.
- Zone boundaries: the snapshot of official data published by the app.