The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Mon, July 4, 2022 | 21:46
New Technologies & The Law
How to fly a drone in Seoul
Posted : 2018-02-01 17:10
Updated : 2018-02-04 16:05
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
By Shon Ga-ram

Flying a drone in Seoul is restricted because the population is so dense because the Presidential Blue House and major military facilities are located within the city. So it is almost legally impossible to fly a drone within Seoul city limits.

In fact, as shown in the picture below, most of central Seoul is a prohibited airspace (P-73A and P-73B), and the area north of Seoul toward the demilitarized zone (P-518) is also a no-fly zone.

On the other hand, the yellow section of the map, designated R-75 is a restricted area where flights are permitted under certain regulations. Moreover, the pilot of a drone must get additional prior permission from the Republic of Korea Army.

The Korean government recently announced a policy to deregulate technologies to promote their growth and development. Accordingly, I applied for a permit to fly a drone. Such permits are valid for one time only _ a new permit must be obtained for each flight. For small hobby drones, no separate pilot's license is necessary, but for larger, heavier drones, one is required.


Application process

In the past, it was necessary to contact the Ministry of Capital Defense and the Ministry of National Defense separately to obtain permission. However, the procedure has become somewhat streamlined. Now it is sufficient to visit the dedicated of the Airline Business Plan One-stop Processing System (or APS, at http://www.onestop.go.kr/) and submit one application.

Generally speaking, when you have received a permit for aerial photography, you see the following screen:

Flight day

You must meet a supervisor before flying your drone. I met my supervisor and he observed me constantly throughout the flight. He carefully recorded the take-off and landing times. While the drone was in the air, I was able to take this picture of the Han River.


Conclusion

In 2017, Korean aviation law was divided into Aviation Business Law, Aviation Safety Law, and Aviation Security Law. The government defined the drone industry as part of the 4th Industrial Revolution. While there were previously a lot of inconveniences in flying a drone due to various regulations, the situation is somewhat easier now.

Because permits are now been available through a website application, the process is surprisingly simple, and I expect drone flying to become more popular. However, because there is a time-lag in gaining approval, I recommend you apply at least two or three weeks before the day you want to fly.

Shon Ga-ram is a member of the Corporate & Finance Practice Group since 2016. He specializes in personal information protection, corporate governance, finance, litigation, tax, etc.


Emailshongr@hmplaw.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG
  • Declining approval rating feared to dampen Yoon's political drive
  • Korea's bio industry at turning point after pandemic
  • Can Chinese demand cushion blow of US recession on Asian economies?
  • Concerns grow over COVID-19 resurgence
  • More than six out of 10 South Koreans willing to fight for country
  • Not just another crypto-bubble
  • Inflation expected to accelerate further in 2nd half
  • Umbrella union stages massive rallies in Seoul amid scorching heat
  • Japanese media focuses on Yoon's 'sales diplomacy'
  • Korea runs trade deficit with China
  • Cha Eun-woo eyes starring role in 'K-Pop: Lost in America' Cha Eun-woo eyes starring role in 'K-Pop: Lost in America'
  • BTS' J-Hope tops iTunes charts in 84 countries BTS' J-Hope tops iTunes charts in 84 countries
  • Moon Geun-young to make directorial film debut at BIFAN Moon Geun-young to make directorial film debut at BIFAN
  • BLACKPINK's 'Ddu-du Ddu-du' sets YouTube views record for K-pop group BLACKPINK's 'Ddu-du Ddu-du' sets YouTube views record for K-pop group
  • Lee Jung-hyun returns to big screen after becoming a mom Lee Jung-hyun returns to big screen after becoming a mom
DARKROOM
  • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

  • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

  • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

  • Poor hit harder by economic crisis

    Poor hit harder by economic crisis

  • Roland Garros 2022

    Roland Garros 2022

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group