Photo etiquette and drones

Scenery and street scenes are fine, but if someone's face will be clearly featured, it is best to ask permission. Koreans tend to be conscious of portrait rights and privacy. Before posting online, blurring other people's faces is a safe habit.

When you photograph a specific person up close, and especially children, asking first is both polite and safer. Publishing someone's image without consent can lead to portrait-rights complaints. Market vendors and street performers may also prefer not to be photographed, so check with them.

Phones sold in Korea typically make a shutter sound to discourage covert filming. This is reported to come from an industry standard rather than a law. Phones bought abroad may behave differently, but secretly filming people is a crime regardless of the device.

Korea treats non-consensual filming of people's bodies as a sex crime and punishes it severely. Foreigners are not exempt, and when legal criteria are met they may also face a travel ban during the investigation or deportation. Never film anyone in a way that targets their body, even in public spaces.

Palace grounds are generally fine to photograph, and many museums allow non-flash photography in permanent galleries. Special exhibitions or certain artifacts may be off-limits, so look for signs. Tripods and selfie sticks are restricted in some places. Rules can differ by building, so ask staff if unsure.

Many areas in Korea ban drone flights or require approval. Central Seoul has large no-fly zones, such as around the presidential office, and airport surroundings are restricted too. Before flying, check zones through official channels such as the Drone One-Stop service, and get flight approval from the authority in charge of that airspace.

Aerial photography over ordinary areas does not need separate permission from the Ministry of National Defense. If you are unsure whether restricted facilities might be in the shot, you can request a check through the Drone One-Stop service. Flight approval is a separate matter, so confirm whether your location needs it, and check official guidance well before your trip.

Yes, registration and pilot certification requirements vary with the drone's weight. Even small hobby drones must respect no-fly zones, night flights require special flight approval, and any flight that could endanger people or property is prohibited. Requirements can change, so check the latest official guidance for your model.

Photography is prohibited within designated protection zones around military bases and facilities, and warning signs are often posted. On DMZ tours there are specific no-photo zones, so follow your guide's instructions closely. Filming in airport security areas may also be restricted. Ask staff or your guide if unsure.

Yes, most restaurants are used to people photographing their food. Try to keep other diners out of the frame and avoid using flash. If there is a no-photo sign, or if you want to shoot the kitchen, ask the staff first.

Avoid photographing Buddha statues inside halls or people during services; many halls display no-photo signs. Do not take close-up shots of people praying. The temple grounds and scenery are usually fine to photograph freely. Rules vary, so check signs at the entrance or ask the temple office.

When posing at palaces or hanok villages, avoid blocking paths for long periods. If many other visitors are in the background, wait a moment for a clearer shot. In residential areas like Bukchon, keep noise down outside people's homes. Respect any no-photo signs posted by residents.

Bukchon is a living residential neighborhood. In the specially managed red zone around Bukchon-ro 11-gil, tourist visits are limited to 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the rule covers this zone, not the whole village. Do not peer through gates or linger for long photo shoots at front doors. This is as of November 2026, so check Jongno-gu's official notices.

Most performances and concerts ban filming or allow it only at certain moments. Breaking the rules can get you stopped by staff or even removed. Policies differ by event, so check the ticket information and on-site announcements before you raise your phone.

Outdoors they are generally fine, but many busy attractions and indoor museum spaces restrict them. Extending a stick in a crowd can hit other people. Check the signs at the entrance of each venue before setting up. Never set one up where it blocks a path.

Some stores prohibit photography to protect their designs, especially fashion, cosmetics and pop-up stores. Policies vary, so ask a staff member first. Continuing to shoot after being told not to may get you asked to stop or leave. Even when allowed, keep other shoppers out of the frame.

Blur other people's faces, car license plates and anything showing home addresses. Be especially careful with photos of children. Sharing your accommodation or real-time location can be a safety risk, so consider posting after you have moved on. Be mindful of what your photos reveal.

Photo rules differ at each DMZ stop, and the Paju DMZ peace tour course currently says photography is banned throughout the course. Even where an observatory has a marked photo line, do not rely on it alone; always follow instructions from soldiers and your tour guide. Breaking the rules can mean being told to delete your photos.

Personal drones can generally be brought in, but their lithium batteries must follow airline rules and usually go in carry-on luggage. Remember that flying a drone in Korea is where strict rules apply, not simply bringing one. Check your airline's and customs' guidance before traveling.

Flying a drone without approval is not allowed across the Hangang parks in Seoul, though not every spot is a legal no-fly zone, and there are exceptions such as the Gwangnaru drone field. Park authorities may also ban drones under their own rules. Always check official guidance for permitted areas and approval steps first.