City guide
Flying a drone in Seoul
Updated 2026-11-10 · Русский · 한국어
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 information comes from guidance published by the Seoul Metropolitan Government; the links and the date they were checked are at the end of the page. Zone boundaries change: check the Drone One-Stop map.
In short
- According to the city government, all of Seoul is designated as a restricted flight area: you need 비행승인 before flying, and the application is filed through Drone One-Stop.
- The city centre is covered by the prohibited area P-73. 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.
- The Gimpo Airport control zone lies to the west and the Seoul Air Base control zone to the south-east.
- The city government recommends applying 3 to 5 days before the flight.
- Hobby pilots have a site that works by advance booking: the Han River drone park (한강드론공원).
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
- P-73
- Prohibited area (비행금지구역) in central Seoul, from the ground with no upper limit. Its boundary has changed: in March 2026 the city government reported a sharp rise in pilots caught flying without approval after the P-73 change.
- R-75
- Restricted area (비행제한구역) over the city: flights only with approval.
- Gimpo Airport
- Aerodrome control zone (관제권, usually a 9.3 km radius) in the west of the city.
- Seoul Air Base
- Control zone of the military aerodrome to the south-east, near Seongnam.
- P-518
- Prohibited area north of the capital region, along the border.
- NOTAM
- Temporary restrictions with a specific validity period: read them together with the permanent zones.
Bukhansan National Park and cultural heritage sites, including the palaces, are shown as separate map layers: they have their own rules and their own approvals.
Where zones overlap, approval is needed from every authority involved.
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 (민원신청, then 비행승인 신청). The city government states 3 to 5 days before the flight.
- The application lists the applicant's details, the flight plan, information about the drone and the pilot, and a photo and specifications of the aircraft.
- The decision is made by the authority that manages that airspace: 국방부, 국토교통부 or 지방항공청.
The 150 m altitude rule and approval in restricted areas also apply to drones under 250 g: weight only affects registration and pilot training. General rules: drone laws in South Korea. See also: flying a drone in Busan, flying a drone in Jeju.
Filming
According to the city government (as revised on 17 April 2026), prior permission for drone filming is not mandatory. A 항공촬영 application is recommended 3 to 5 days in advance when you need to check whether the area contains facilities that must not be filmed.
Filming a prohibited facility is punishable whether or not an application was filed. A 항공촬영 application does not cover the flight itself: 비행승인 is required separately.
Penalties for flying without approval
- In the prohibited area P-73, 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.
- According to the city government, flying without approval is punishable by a criminal fine (벌금) of up to KRW 5 million under Article 161 of the 항공안전법, and the penalty is entered in criminal records.
- Violations are reported to the police (112) and the military (1338).
Always prohibited, with or without approval: flying over crowds, night flights between sunset and sunrise without a 특별비행승인, operating after drinking alcohol, and dropping dangerous objects.
Han River drone park
한강드론공원 (광나루비행장) is in Gwangnaru Hangang Park, Gangdong-gu: 서울 강동구 선사로 83-66. It is a site for hobby drones with separate areas for racing drones, multicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
- Booking is required: the Seoul public service reservation site (in Korean), search for 드론 or 광나루.
- The owner's name and phone number must be written on the aircraft.
- Check the weight limit, opening hours and other conditions on the 미래한강본부 site (in Korean) before you go: they have changed.
Outside the site, including the other Han River parks, the general rules on this page apply.
Frequent questions
Can a tourist fly a drone in Seoul?
The guidance has no separate regime for tourists: the requirements are the same for everyone. Without an application filed in advance, what remains is the Han River site, and that one works by booking.
Do I need approval for a drone under 250 g?
Registration and training are not required for such a drone, but approval in restricted areas and the 150 m altitude rule apply at any weight.
How do I know whether my spot is inside P-73?
Check it on the map: the P-73 boundary has changed, and older diagrams online may be wrong. The app shows the zone for the point you pick together with active NOTAMs.
How many days in advance should I apply?
The Seoul Metropolitan Government states 3 to 5 days. A night flight or a flight beyond visual line of sight needs a 특별비행승인, which takes up to 30 days.
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 Seoul: 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.
- Seoul Metropolitan Government: flying, filming and penalties (revised 17 April 2026).
- Seoul Metropolitan Government: zones, authorities and weight requirements (revised 17 April 2026).
- Seoul Metropolitan Government: notice on the prohibited area P-73 (12 March 2026).
- Seoul Metropolitan Government: penalties since 17 September 2026.
- Seoul city media: how to use the Han River drone park (2021).