South Korea

South Korea’s Space Revolution: From Late Bloomer to Satellite Powerhouse by 2030

Sources: South Korean news agencies and official statements were used to ensure up-to-date information and quotes. Key references include Yonhap News Agency reports on KASA’s establishment and budget en.yna.co.kr en.yna.co.kr, the Hanwha-KARI Nuri rocket transfer koreajoongangdaily.joins.com koreajoongangdaily.joins.com, and startup launch successes en.yna.co.kr, as well as JoongAng Daily and Korea Times features on industry trends koreajoongangdaily.joins.com koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. These sources provide a factual basis for the history, current developments, and future outlook discussed. All citations are preserved in the format provided.

11 September 2025

No-Fly Seoul? Breaking Down South Korea’s Strict 2025 Drone Laws

The drone regulatory framework in Seoul is led by MOLIT with KOCA as the aviation regulator, KOTSA handling the Drone One-Stop registration portal, and the Ministry of National Defense plus the Capital Defense Command overseeing security-sensitive airspace. Drones over 250 grams must be registered in Korea, a threshold lowered from 2 kg in 2021, while micro drones at 250 g or less are largely exempt from registration but must still follow safety rules. Insurance is mandatory for registered drones, with a minimum liability coverage of ₩150 million KRW. Pilot licensing is weight-based, with no license for micro drones ≤250 g,

15 August 2025

Drones · Laws · Regulations · South Korea · Technology

Lightning-Fast Internet Everywhere: Inside South Korea’s Blazing Broadband Empire and 6G Ambitions

As of 2023, nearly 89% of all broadband connections in South Korea are fiber-optic, the highest share in the world. South Korea launched commercial 5G in April 2019, becoming the first country to do so. By late 2023, SK Telecom alone had over 15 million 5G subscribers, with KT and LG U+ close behind. The fixed and mobile backbone includes at least five major IXPs and nine submarine cables landing at four coastal stations, with a new high-capacity subsea cable online in 2024. The government’s K-Network 2030 plan aims for the first commercial 6G services by 2028 and earmarks around

6 July 2025

6G · Broadband · Connectivity · Internet · NYSE:SKM · South Korea

Drone Laws in South Korea (2025 Overview)

The nationwide altitude limit for drones is 150 meters above ground level, and flying higher requires explicit permission. Drones may not fly within 5 nautical miles (about 9.3 kilometers) of any airport or aerodrome without clearance, forming airport control zones. No-fly zones include central Seoul around the Blue House (P-73A and P-73B) with the surrounding R-75 buffer, making much of metropolitan Seoul off-limits without authorization. Drone operations are daylight-only; night flights require a Special Flight Approval. Drones must be operated within visual line of sight at all times, with BVLOS or FPV flights needing a special approval. Drones over 250

30 June 2025

2025 Overview · Drones · Regulations · South Korea · Technology Law