Yangju City Confirmed as Drone Special Zone... Leaping Toward 'Drone Industry Hub of Northern Gyeonggi'

Final Selection in Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Competition...
Yangju Drone Special Liberalization Zone Takes Effect
Accelerating K-Drone Delivery Advancement and Commercialization of Advanced Drone Technologies
Driving Corporate Attraction and Innovative Growth...
A Green Light for Becoming the Drone Industry Hub of Northern Gyeonggi Province

Yangju City in Gyeonggi Province has reached a decisive turning point in fostering the drone industry, which is considered a core growth engine for the future.

Yangju City was finally selected in the 'Drone Special Free Zone' designation contest organized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the special zone officially took effect on the 29th. Photo by Yangju City

On July 31, Yangju City announced that it had been finally selected in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s competition for designation as a “Drone Special Liberalization Zone,” and that the special zone officially took effect on July 29.

This designation is the result of Yangju City’s ongoing drone industry promotion policies and holds significant meaning as it establishes a strong foundation for Yangju to become a hub of the drone industry in northern Gyeonggi Province.

The Drone Special Liberalization Zone is a system that significantly relaxes or exempts prior flight-related regulations (such as safety certification, flight approval, and special flight approval) to support the free demonstration and rapid commercialization of service models utilizing drones.

Through this designation, Yangju City plans to accelerate the attraction of drone companies and technological innovation, and to make advanced drone services that citizens can experience a reality.

The newly designated Yangju Drone Special Liberalization Zone consists of two areas. The first area, Okjeong 2-dong (4.1㎢), will focus on developing and demonstrating an urban drone delivery commercialization model.

Yangju City had already been selected for two consecutive years (2024?2025) for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s “Drone Demonstration City Development Project,” and has been promoting the K-Drone Delivery Service.

The second area, Jangheung Natural Recreation Forest (0.18㎢), will serve as a base for developing drone delivery service models specialized for tourists and mountainous regions. It is expected that the development of unique services that combine beautiful natural scenery with advanced drone technology will offer tourists a new experience and contribute to the revitalization of the local tourism industry.

In January 2024, Yangju City established a Drone Policy Team to lay the foundation for professional and systematic promotion of the drone industry.

Major achievements include: ▲Promoting the commercialization of the K-Drone Delivery Service by being selected for the “Drone Demonstration City Development Project” by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport for two consecutive years; ▲Hosting the “Gyeonggi·Yangju·Ground Operations Command Dronebot Festival,” the largest public-private-military harmony festival in Korea; ▲Establishing and operating the “Yangju Dronebot Talent Education Center”; ▲Being selected for Gyeonggi Province’s “Drone Industry Promotion Support Project” and pursuing the drone digital twin project; ▲Being selected for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s “Smart City Innovative Technology Discovery Project” and conducting drone-based safety inspections of aging facilities; ▲Permitting night drone light shows within the P-518 no-fly zone; and other pioneering regulatory improvement efforts.

Thanks to these proactive efforts and investments, Yangju City has come to be recognized as a city with the optimal environment for drone companies to freely test their technologies and commercialize their businesses.

An official from Yangju City stated, “The designation of the Drone Special Liberalization Zone marks a turning point for Yangju City to become a key city leading the future advanced industries of northern Gyeonggi Province. Building on this designation, we plan to actively attract companies with innovative drone technologies and develop a variety of services that allow citizens to experience the convenience of drones in their daily lives.”