Flying Drones Near Nuclear Power Plants... Kori Nuclear Power Headquarters to Greatly Strengthen Penalties Starting on the 17th

Unauthorized Flights Face Up to 1 Year in Prison or a Fine of 10 Million Won

Cooperation Among Police, Military, and Local Governments
Enhanced Public Campaigns and Signage to Raise Awareness

Anyone caught flying drones without approval near nuclear power plants will face up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won starting September 17, 2026.

The Kori Nuclear Power Headquarters of Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power announced on September 9 that, in line with the enforcement of the revised Aviation Safety Act, it will strengthen collaboration systems with relevant agencies and enhance public awareness campaigns to prevent unauthorized drone flights in no-fly zones.

Nuclear power plants are designated as National Security Facility Class A, and a no-fly zone with an 18.5 km radius is established around the site. Anyone wishing to operate drones or other ultralight flying devices within this area must obtain prior flight approval.

With the enforcement of the amended Aviation Safety Act, the penalties for flying drones in restricted areas without approval will be upgraded from a previous administrative fine of up to 3 million won to up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won.

The Kori Nuclear Power Headquarters plans to share details of the revised regulations with the police, military, and local governments, and to strengthen cooperative systems to enable swift on-site response when illegal drone activity is detected.

In areas near nuclear power plants where there are concerns about drone flights, signs and promotional materials highlighting the tougher penalties will be installed, and publicity will be carried out through the website and a variety of other media platforms.

Ban Byunghoon, Head of Kori Nuclear Power Headquarters, emphasized, "Drone flights are strictly restricted in the vicinity of nuclear power plants to protect the security and safety of key national facilities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.