An international aviation law discussion forum was held in Seoul to discuss the current status of UAM (urban air mobility) promotion laws and to develop the aviation industry.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, in cooperation with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), held the '2024 ICAO Legal Seminar' in Seoul for three days from Tuesday, April 16 to Thursday, April 18. The ICAO Legal Seminar has been held in Korea every three years since 2006 in cooperation with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and this year marks the seventh time.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1947 to oversee the policies and order of the global aviation industry in order to promote the peaceful and sound development of international civil aviation.

The seminar began with the purpose of discussing international civil aviation conventions, but gradually expanded to cover a variety of topics related to global aviation policy, including aviation safety, security, and new technologies. This seminar was attended by key figures from ICAO and member states, including the ICAO Secretary General, the Qatar Minister of Transport, and legal experts from around the world.

This seminar covered innovative technologies in the aviation field, such as the International Civil Aviation Convention and New Mobility, as well as recent important issues in the global aviation industry.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said, “There was heated discussion and active information sharing that allowed for a legal review of global aviation issues and to present the direction of development and future vision for the aviation industry.”

The ICAO Legal Seminar was held in five sessions. The status of ratification of major aviation treaties and current aviation legal issues over the past 80 years of the International Civil Aviation Convention were shared, and implications for legal aspects related to aviation safety and security were discussed. The role of international aviation conventions in regulating standards for misconduct on board aircraft and data protection against cyberattacks on civil aviation are also discussed.

In particular, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport shared the status of laws and regulations related to the progress of UAM demonstration and pilot projects being promoted in our country.

Also, on the 17th, the 'High-Level Aviation Policy and Strategy Forum' was held with the attendance of aviation ministers from major countries, chairmen of regional civil aviation committees, and heads of aviation administrations. The forum introduced Korea's new technologies such as UAM and KASS, as well as cooperative projects with ICAO such as education and training for developing countries and master's degree scholarship programs, and promised close cooperation and support with ICAO member states in the future.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Aviation Safety Policy Director Yoo Kyung-soo said, "This legal seminar is expected to contribute to our country's position as a leader in international aviation policy, and will have a positive effect on maintaining our country's position as a director state (for a 9th consecutive term) in the 42nd ICAO General Assembly (Montreal, September 2025) to be held next year, as well as upgrading our portion of the director state in the future."