Operators who wish to obtain flight approval are to submit their drone operating manual, flight route and contingency plans in advance.

The ministry’s final decision is to be based on a safety standard inspection by the Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology, as well as an overall review on the flight location environment.

Observers expect that this partial deregulation will clear the way for the use of drones in public sectors such as search and rescue or fire suppression.

The ministry is also working on expanding drone-related infrastructure, including practical examination sites, to respond to increasing demand for drone pilot licenses.

“The drone industry is one of the fastest-developing technical sectors,” said an official of the ministry.

“We hope that this special approval system to be a model example of the government’s pre-emptive deregulation for creativity and innovation.”

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)