South Korea
South Korea lets you photograph public landmarks but generally not sell prints centered on a copyrighted public artwork; its anti-hidden-camera law is strict.
Guidance, not legal advice
Permit
Conditional
Issuer: Site operator for commercial shoots at palaces, tombs, and temples; no permit for personal street photography
Cost: No permit for personal photography; commercial shoots need approval and sometimes a tripod fee
Personal and hobby photography in public needs no permit. The royal palaces and many temples allow free personal photos but require approval for commercial shoots. Military sites and the DMZ are strictly off-limits.
Drone / airspace
Drones over 250g must be registered via MOLIT; central Seoul, airports, and military sites are no-fly zones
Aerial photography can require a Ministry of National Defense permit. For depth, see Drone Authority.
Street / public space
No by default for identifiable individuals: portrait rights mean publishing or using someone's image needs consent
Non-consensual intimate filming is a serious crime, and phones sold in Korea cannot silence the shutter sound. Never photograph anyone in a private or sensitive situation.
Freedom of panorama
Limited
Copyright Act Article 35 lets works permanently in public places be used for most purposes, but excludes reproducing for the purpose of selling copies. Photographing buildings and public art for editorial or personal use is allowed; selling prints centered on a copyrighted public artwork generally is not.
Practical notes
- At palaces like Gyeongbokgung, personal and hanbok photography is welcome, but tripods may be restricted and commercial shoots need approval.
- Near any military base or the DMZ, obey no-photography signs absolutely, and never make covert or intimate recordings.
Sources
Keep shooting
Knowing the rules is half the job. The craft side: