Drone Laws in North Korea

Verfasst von Francis Markert | Last update on 10.08.2026 | 0 Kommentare

In this post we have summarized the legal situation for the use of drones in North Korea for you.

North Korea is ruled by a totalitarian regime that controls every journalistic activity in the country. If you want to shoot footage in North Korea, you need the government’s approval for it. On top of that you will be accompanied by minders who make sure that you only travel along a route laid down in advance.

A publicly available official North Korean drone regulation cannot be verified at present. Official travel advisories issued by several countries do, however, point to strict declaration requirements for cameras and GPS-capable devices, possible inspections and confiscation of electronic equipment, very broadly worded photography bans, and a considerable risk of arrest and detention. Taking a drone to North Korea and using it there is therefore not advisable in practice.

Tour operators specialising in North Korea consistently state that drones are taken away by customs as soon as you enter the country. An official confirmation of this by the authorities is not available to us.

Have you already travelled in North Korea and seen how cameras and drones are handled there? Leave us a comment below this post and share your experience.

We have researched the listed drone regulations for North Korea to the best of our knowledge. We cannot guarantee the correctness of the information. If you want to be on the safe side, contact the competent aviation authority. Alternatively, you can also ask the embassy in your home country for further information about the regulations. Please leave us a comment when you receive news and/or gain experience with your drone in North Korea!