Recently, a tourist hot air balloon flying over Seogwipo, Jeju crashed due to strong winds, killing the pilot and injuring several tourists who were on board.

The current Act classifies hot air balloons as an ultra-light vehicle, which uses the properties of gas and differences in temperature, etc., to fly. They are extremely vulnerable to wind, snow, rain, and other weather fluctuations.

However, the current Act does not properly reflect the weather-related properties of ultra-light vehicles in terms of flight safety and as a result, it has failed to prevent safety accidents, major or minor, caused by weather conditions.

Accordingly, the Amendment allows the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to determine weather and other flight conditions under which hot air balloons and other ultra-light vehicles may fly, and imposes an administrative fine on a pilot who fails to comply, thereby aiming to ensure flight safety, prevent accidents, and contribute to the safety of the people (Article 127, paragraph 4 newly inserted).

Allow the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to determine weather and other flight conditions under which ultra-light vehicles may fly as specified by the Ordinance of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure to ensure flight safety and prevent accidents when granting an approval for flight in accordance with paragraph 2 or 3.

Require persons who are subject to the flight conditions or restrictions to comply therewith (Article 127, paragraph 4)