Illegal drone flights double in 2017 as awareness of regulations remains poor

Police said Thursday they recorded 68 illegal drone flight incidents in 2017, almost double the previous year's 36, at a time when delivery services and other businesses are looking to utilize unmanned aircraft. Authorities took action against 77 people, up from 37 the year before, the National Police Agency said, indicating a need to improve public awareness of regulations. "It seems (the regulations) are not widely known," an NPA official said, suggesting the need to improve public awareness. The aviation law bans drone flights in airspace around airports and above densely populated areas. Drones are restricted to flying in daylight hours and need to be monitored at all times.