Purpose: This study aims to empirically analyze the factors influencing public acceptance of drone delivery services and identify the key barriers hindering their widespread adoption in South Korea. By examining general consumers’ perceptions rather than industry insiders, the study seeks to provide user-centered insights for policy and service design.Research design, data, and methodology: A survey was conducted with 358 general consumers to measure their perception, intention to use, and concerns regarding drone delivery. Eight key variables were defined, and statistical analyses including frequency analysis, cross-tabulation, and logistic regression were employed to identify significant predictors of service acceptance.Results: The findings indicate that while 91.4% of respondents have a positive perception of drone delivery and 87.2% express willingness to use the service, only 3.91% have actual experience. Major barriers to diffusion were identified as safety concerns (67.9%), lack of legal frameworks (64.5 %), and social issues (46.4%). Logistic regression revealed that positive perception (OR=6.514), willingness to pay extra (OR=3.380), and prior usage experience (OR=2.565) significantly increased the likelihood of acceptance. Meanwhile, safety concerns reduced it (OR=0.416). Demographic variables such as gender and age showed limited influence.Implications: The study highlights that successful diffusion of drone delivery requires more than technological development. Public trust, institutional readiness, and experiential engagement are essential. The findings suggest that public-oriented communication strategies, regulatory reforms, and pilot programs could play a key role in enhancing acceptance. This research contributes to the literature by offering a consumer-based empirical approach and provides practical implications for policy makers and service developers.
So-Ra Baek (2025) studied this question.