S. Korea showcases early K-UAM commercial model with test flight at Jeju's Seopjikoji

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will hold a Jeju UAM Service Showcase at Seopjikoji in Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo, Jeju Island, on Wednesday, presenting an early commercial service model for Korea's K-UAM initiative.

The showcase will stage actual flight scenarios based on Jeju Island's planned pilot project, serving as a venue to validate an early commercial model that the public can directly experience.

The event will use a crewed aircraft from German UAM company Volocopter to fly over maritime areas near Seongsan Ilchulbong and Seopjikoji, demonstrating operational models applicable to tourism, local transport and public services.

High-definition aerial cameras will stream live footage of Jeju's landscape from the air, allowing visitors to indirectly experience what using a UAM service would feel like and offering a vivid on-site glimpse of future air mobility.

A full-scale model of the B-33X, developed by Sambo Motors Group, will also be on display at the venue, highlighting the current state of domestic UAM aircraft development in South Korea.

On the same day, the ministry will convene a plenary session of UAM Team Korea (UTK), receive briefings on the early K-UAM commercialization model and plans to train the country's first UAM pilots and maintenance technicians, and discuss with industry how to advance the early commercialization drive.

"UAM is no longer a distant future," said Hong Ji-seon, second vice minister of land, infrastructure and transport. "The government will accelerate preparations toward early commercialization by 2028, while ensuring safety meticulously so the public can use it with confidence."