South Korea aims to commercialize urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles as drone taxis as early as the end of 2025.
The introduction of drone taxis is meant to ease traffic congestion on Seoul's roads, said the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport.
According to the ministry’s concept of operations (ConOps), drone taxi services will begin in 2025 using manned aerial vehicles.
Pilot tests for driverless drone taxis will be conducted as early as 2030 and a fully autonomous service is to begin in 2035.
A safety manager will board each flying vehicle after 2025 when pilots are no longer needed.
The ministry will also establish "vertiports" in major traffic hubs in Seoul, where drone taxis can safely take off and land vertically.
The ministry will also pursue collaboration with private companies to develop industrial ecosystems for drone taxis.
Drone taxis fly at an altitude of 300 to 600 meters, allowing passengers to reach their destinations three times faster than they would be using conventional automobiles.
While the market for UAM vehicles is still in its infancy, a group of automakers and tech firms are expanding investments into UAM systems to alleviate traffic congestion in major metropolitan areas around the world.
The land ministry expects the global UAM market to grow to reach around 730 trillion won by 2040 when the domestic UAM market reaches around 13 trillion won.


Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January
Why a ‘rip-off’ degree might be worth the money after all – research study
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility
Canada’s local food system faces major roadblocks without urgent policy changes
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out
How to support someone who is grieving: five research-backed strategies
Youth are charting new freshwater futures by learning from the water on the water
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 



