# Agricultural drone spraying rules in South Korea

> What you need to spray crops with a drone in South Korea: legal status, authorities, permits, requirements and operating limits, with links to the official sources.

- Canonical URL: https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/south-korea
- Language: en
- Last updated: 2026-09-18
- Path: Home › Drone spraying rules by country › Agricultural drone spraying rules in South Korea
- Site guide for agents: https://pulvecast.com/llms.txt

## Legal status

**Allowed with authorisation.** Spraying pesticides by drone is legal. Under the Aviation Safety Act the drone must be reported to KOTSA, the pilot needs a drone pilot certificate for the weight class, drones over 25 kg need safety certification, and spraying for others for pay requires registering a drone-use business; pesticides must be used according to their label.

## Who regulates it

- **Aviation:** [Korea Transportation Safety Authority (drone reporting, pilot certificates, business registration) (KOTSA)](https://drone.onestop.go.kr/)
- **Aviation:** [Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology (safety certification) (KIAST)](https://www.kiast.or.kr/)
- **Agriculture:** [Rural Development Administration (pesticide registration) (RDA)](https://psis.rda.go.kr/)
- **Agriculture:** [Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA)](https://www.mafra.go.kr/PLS/2071/subview.do)

## Legal basis

- [Aviation Safety Act (항공안전법), arts. 122, 124, 125](https://www.law.go.kr/%EB%B2%95%EB%A0%B9/%ED%95%AD%EA%B3%B5%EC%95%88%EC%A0%84%EB%B2%95): Drone reporting, safety certification and pilot certification.
- [Aviation Business Act (항공사업법), art. 48](https://easylaw.go.kr/CSP/CnpClsMain.laf?popMenu=ov&csmSeq=1814&ccfNo=2&cciNo=1&cnpClsNo=2): Registration of drone-use businesses, including paid spraying of fertiliser or pesticides and sowing seed.
- [Pesticide Control Act (농약관리법)](https://www.law.go.kr/%EB%B2%95%EB%A0%B9/%EB%86%8D%EC%95%BD%EA%B4%80%EB%A6%AC%EB%B2%95): Pesticide registration and safe-use standards.

## What you need

- Report the drone to KOTSA: all drones used commercially, and non-commercial drones over 2 kg take-off weight (art. 122). ([easylaw.go.kr](https://easylaw.go.kr/CSP/CnpClsMain.laf?popMenu=ov&csmSeq=1814&ccfNo=2&cciNo=1&cnpClsNo=1))
- Drones over 25 kg take-off weight need safety certification (art. 124). ([easylaw.go.kr](https://easylaw.go.kr/CSP/CnpClsMain.laf?popMenu=ov&csmSeq=1814&ccfNo=2&cciNo=2&cnpClsNo=1))
- The pilot needs a drone pilot certificate: class 4 (250 g–2 kg), class 3 (2–7 kg), class 2 (7–25 kg) or class 1 (over 25 kg) (art. 125). ([easylaw.go.kr](https://easylaw.go.kr/CSP/CnpClsMain.laf?popMenu=ov&csmSeq=1814&ccfNo=2&cciNo=3&cnpClsNo=1))
- Spraying for others for pay requires registering a drone-use business with KOTSA: at least one pilot, one drone, insurance for each drone or the business, and KRW 30 million capital unless all drones are 25 kg or less. ([easylaw.go.kr](https://easylaw.go.kr/CSP/CnpClsMain.laf?popMenu=ov&csmSeq=1814&ccfNo=2&cciNo=1&cnpClsNo=2))
- Use registered pesticides according to their label and safe-use standards; check that the label covers unmanned aerial application. ([psis.rda.go.kr](https://psis.rda.go.kr/))

## How to get authorised

1. Report the drone to KOTSA (and get safety certification from KIAST if over 25 kg). ([drone.onestop.go.kr](https://drone.onestop.go.kr/))
2. Pass the KOTSA drone pilot certificate exam for your drone's weight class. ([lic.kotsa.or.kr](https://lic.kotsa.or.kr/))
3. If you spray for others for pay, register a drone-use business and insure it. ([easylaw.go.kr](https://easylaw.go.kr/CSP/CnpClsMain.laf?popMenu=ov&csmSeq=1814&ccfNo=2&cciNo=1&cnpClsNo=2))
4. Check whether the field is in controlled or restricted airspace and apply for flight approval if it is. ([drone.onestop.go.kr](https://drone.onestop.go.kr/))
5. Survey the site, plan drift control, inform neighbouring farms before spraying, and record the spraying afterwards. ([mafra.go.kr](https://www.mafra.go.kr/PLS/2071/subview.do))

## Operating limits for spraying

- Government guidance for multicopter spraying: wind 3 m/s or less, flight height 2–3 m, speed 15 km/h or less; pause spraying when hovering or turning (MAFRA PLS guidance).

## Good to know

- Flying an uncertified drone without a pilot certificate can lead to up to 1 year in prison or a KRW 10 million fine (art. 161).

> Checked against official sources on 2026-09-18. Rules change: confirm with the authorities before operating. This page is a planning summary, not legal advice. The product label and the official rules always prevail.

## Other countries

- [Australia](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/australia)
- [Brazil](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/brazil)
- [Canada](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/canada)
- [China](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/china)
- [France](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/france)
- [Germany](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/germany)
- [Greece](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/greece)
- [Indonesia](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/indonesia)
- [Italy](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/italy)
- [Japan](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/japan)
- [Netherlands](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/netherlands)
- [Portugal](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/portugal)
- [Spain](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/spain)
- [Switzerland](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/switzerland)
- [Taiwan](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/taiwan)
- [Turkey](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/turkey)
- [United Kingdom](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/united-kingdom)
- [United States](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/united-states)
- [Uruguay](https://pulvecast.com/spray-drone-rules/uruguay)

## Check the spray window before you go to the field

PulveCast gives a green, yellow or red verdict for every hour from Delta T, humidity, wind, gusts, drift risk and thermal inversion. Free on Android and iOS, no account needed.

- Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pulvecast.app
- App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/pulvecast/id6779816829