Drone Light Show (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jul. 1 (Korea Bizwire) – The number of registered drones in South Korea has increased ninefold over the past five years, reflecting their growing popularity for various applications including package delivery, search operations, and video filming.
According to data released on June 30 by the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, there were 59,871 registered drones in the country as of the end of May. With approximately 1,500 new drones being added each month this year, the total is expected to surpass 60,000 by the end of June.
This marks a dramatic increase from about 6,700 registered drones at the end of 2018. The surge in drone adoption was particularly notable during the COVID-19 pandemic, with numbers jumping to around 31,000 in 2021 and 52,000 last year.
Breaking down the May figures by type, unmanned multi-copters (aircraft using multiple propellers) were the most common, accounting for 89% (about 53,000) of all registered drones. Unmanned airplanes made up 7.7%, while unmanned helicopters constituted 3%.
Of the total, 63.4% (about 37,000) were registered for commercial use, with the remainder for non-commercial purposes.
In terms of weight categories, drones between 250g and 2kg were the most prevalent, making up 36.7% (about 21,000) of the total. The second most common category was 7-25kg drones, accounting for 27.4% (about 16,000).
The number of registered drones in South Korea has increased ninefold over the past five years. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
The rise in drone numbers has been accompanied by an increase in licensed drone operators. The annual number of individuals obtaining drone pilot licenses more than doubled from about 11,000 in 2018 to 27,000 last year. As of May 2023, the cumulative number of licensed drone operators in South Korea reached approximately 138,000.
Since 2021, a license has been mandatory for operating any drone weighing over 250g, regardless of its purpose. Licenses are categorized into four classes based on the maximum weight of the aircraft that can be operated.
For drones weighing between 250g and 2kg, typically used for hobby and leisure purposes, only an online training course (about 6 hours) is required. Licensed operators can fly drones weighing up to 25kg without special approval, as long as they stay below an altitude of 150 meters.
However, flights are restricted in certain areas such as central Seoul, near the Demilitarized Zone, nuclear power plants, and within a 9.3km radius of airports, where approval from relevant authorities is necessary.
The country has designated 43 areas as Unmanned Aircraft (UA) flight zones, where drones can be operated during daytime below 150 meters without additional approval.
A spokesperson for the Transportation Safety Authority emphasized the importance of checking qualification requirements and obtaining necessary approvals before flying drones to ensure safety.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
