S. Korea eyes law revision to allow robot, drone deliveries

South Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance will revise the Living Logistics Service Act that is limited to cargo trucks and two-wheeled motor vehicles to include drones and robots as transportation means.

Under the current law, there is no legal basis for using drones or robots as transportation means.

Drones can deliver to remote and isolated areas, while robots can load or unload parcels.

The South Korean government plans to propose revisions to the law next year after consultations with related ministries, living logistics service workers, and professionals.

However, due to the time needed to revise related laws, including the Aviation Act, and the period of regulatory exceptions for demonstration, it may take over two or three years before drone and robot delivery services can be used more frequently.

The government would also come up with measures protecting living logistics service workers, as well as boost spending in the sector.