Document
Legal reference
Updated 2026-08-01 · Русский · 한국어
This is an English translation of the Russian original. 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. Check specific thresholds, deadlines and forms with 국토교통부 and Drone One-Stop.
1. Drone categories
In Korea, drones are divided into categories by maximum take-off weight, and each category has its own requirements for registering the aircraft and for pilot qualification. Official documents write the category name in Korean, for example 4종. Determine the category from the authority's official table, not from memory: the weight thresholds have changed.
2. Two separate procedures
- 비행승인: the procedure for the flight itself; it covers the place, altitude, time and nature of the operation.
- 항공촬영: the procedure for aerial photography; it covers taking photos and video from the air and is reviewed separately.
The names are not translated: the authority and the application form use them exactly in this form. Depending on the case, you may need one procedure, both or neither: this is determined by the official rules, not by the app.
3. Zone types you will see on the map
- P
- Prohibited area: operations only with official approval.
- R
- Restricted area: coordination with the responsible authority is required.
- CTR
- Aerodrome control zone: the procedure goes through Drone One-Stop.
- ATZ
- Aerodrome traffic zone: a prior check and coordination are required.
- NOTAM
- Temporary restrictions with a specific period of validity; read them together with the permanent zones.
4. What the map does not decide
Altitude, time of day, flights beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS), flights over people and crowds, insurance and pilot qualification requirements depend on the rules and the nature of the operation, not on a single point on the map.
5. Restrictions that no map shows
Rules of landowners and orders of municipalities, park administrations, police and military units are not in the open data. Find them out on site.
6. Where to apply
- Drone One-Stop: 비행승인 and 항공촬영 applications, the official zone map.
- 국토교통부: rules, categories and explanations.
- AIM Korea: publication of active NOTAMs.