South Korea - Jeju Police and the Airport Operator Step Up Checks on Unauthorized Drones
The Jeju Provincial Police Agency and Korea Airports Corporation said on October 20 that they will tighten the joint response to unauthorized drones around Jeju International Airport. The airport operator's figures show 166 illegal-drone detections in 2024 and 160 in 2025, more than at Incheon or Gimpo, which the two agencies linked to the number of visitors.
Flights inside the airport's control zone, about 9.3 kilometers from the field, need approval in advance. That zone includes coastal districts such as Dodu, Yongdam, Aewol, and Samyang. Under the Aviation Safety Act, flying there without approval can bring a fine of up to 5 million won. The agencies said hobby and small drones are not exempt. When a drone is detected, the airport notifies police, who go to the pilot's location.
A separate change in the law raises the penalty for unauthorized flight in designated no-fly areas outside the control zone, including sites such as the presidential office and nuclear power plants, to up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won. The airport operator said it will add warning signs on routes used by visitors and repeat the check-before-you-fly message through navigation prompts and local campaigns.