Working Hours

Under the Labor Standards Act, employer can only employee those over the age of 15. Minors under the age of 15 can be employed after personally applying (and not through their legal guardian) and being issued with an employment permit certificate, given that it “does not interrupt compulsory education.” In this case, the person must carry the employment permit certificate on-site. Minors under 15 cannot work between 10pm and 6am and can only work up to 35 hours a week. The work hours of a person aged between 15 and 18 shall not exceed seven hours per day and 35 hours per week. However, the work hours may be extended by up to one hour per day and five hours per week under a mutual agreement between the parties concerned.

Korea does not yet have relevant laws on animal rights for animals featured in films. But animal abuse on screen is met with severe criticism from the audience and the general public. Also, even without actual scenes of animal abuse, inappropriate treatment of animals on-site is also subject to criticism. Production crews should pay close attention to the treatment of animals used in filming. As of 2020, animal rights groups are preparing a guideline on filming with animals, which will be updated on the website as soon as it is completed.

Possession of guns, model guns, knives, and swords is heavily restricted according to the "Act Regarding the Safe Management of Guns/Knives/Gunpowder, Etc." But for artistic prop purposes for films, prop guns and knives can be rented from a rental company licensed by the regional police headquarters chief.

Anyone who intends to rent guns/knives as artistic props for films and to give temporary possession to actors should receive a possession permit from the police with designating a person-in-charge and the possession period.

When using gunpowder shots, you must inform the police, and make prior announcements to the residents near the filming location.

You must obtain a permit from the relevant police department (Life Safety Department) of your intent to use explosives according to the "Act Regarding the Safe Management of Guns/Knives/Gunpowder, Etc." You must also follow the guidance from the local police regarding the quantity of gunpowder to be detonated, explosion location, timing, etc. If you use 50kg or more of gunpowder or explosives in one month, individuals carrying a qualified license must be hired to manage explosions.

If you are considering filming in flight, the first step is to confirm that flights can take place in the area. The Ministry of Defense designates no-fly zones and restricted flight areas for national security and airline safety reasons. You need a permit from the Ministry of Defense or the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport if you want to film in these areas. For more details, please contact KFCIN.

In the case of aerial photography using drones, permits are decided on taking into consideration the importance in terms of security of the region or facilities that are subject to being filmed. Applications for drone filming can be submitted at the website (http://drone.onestop.go.kr) at least 4 days before the filming using the Aerial Photography Permit Application menu (photography subject, time, purpose, photographer information, etc). Note that the website does not have a English version so please contact the Korea Film Commissions & Industry Network or request help from a Korean line producer.