Contents
- What decides whether you must report
- Documents and timelines
- How we help
- FAQ
Running an online store or app in Korea does not automatically mean filing a value-added telecommunications business report. Under the Telecommunications Business Act, small operators that provide value-added services over the internet and whose capital is at or below the legal threshold are deemed to have reported. Once capital exceeds the threshold, they must report within 1 month. Special types such as web hard drives, P2P and bulk SMS services must register regardless of capital.
The capital threshold and the full breakdown are on our telecom licensing overview. The mail-order (online sales) business report is a separate filing under the E-Commerce Act, covered on our online sales report page.
What decides whether you must report
The Act treats relaying other people's communications, or offering facilities for their use, as a telecommunications service. Everything other than basic services such as phone and internet access is a value-added service, and app markets and online video services are named in the Act. So the test is what your service does, not what you call it.
| Your service | Likely outcome |
|---|---|
| Community with user posts or messages, multi-vendor marketplace, app market, video service | Relays other people's communications, so it is likely value-added. Deemed reported if small, otherwise report. |
| Store or booking app selling only your own products | The question is whether it relays users' communications. Boards, user-to-user chat and vendor features decide it. |
| Web hard drive, P2P, SMS sending linked to carrier networks | Special type: registration, not a report. |
A deemed operator is still a telecommunications business operator, so watch for capital increases and new investment rounds.
Documents and timelines
| Case | Documents | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Value-added report | Report form, network diagram (only if requested for a new type of service), personal data protection measures statement (if you handle personal data) | Corrections within a set period of up to 10 days; start business within 1 year of reporting |
| Deemed report | Nothing to file | Report within 1 month after capital exceeds the threshold |
| Special type registration | Application, articles of incorporation, proof of technical measures, staff and facilities, financial soundness, business plan and user protection plan | Certificate within 30 days of application |
- List your service features: user interaction, vendor listings, content, SMS.
- Classify the service as basic, value-added or special type.
- Check capital and internet delivery to see whether a deemed report applies.
- File with the Ministry of Science and ICT, electronically if you prefer.
- Start business within 1 year of receiving the report certificate.
How we help
YouSun Administrative Agency reviews your features, confirms the classification and deemed-report status, prepares the report or registration with attachments, files it and handles correction requests. If your app uses location data, we also check whether a location-based service report is needed.
FAQ
Q. If I am deemed to have reported, do I need to do anything?
A. No form is needed, but you are still an operator under the Act. Report within 1 month once capital exceeds the threshold.
Q. What if I should report but do not?
A. Operating a value-added business without reporting can lead to criminal penalties, including imprisonment or a fine.
Q. Does my online sales report cover this?
A. No. The online sales report falls under the E-Commerce Act and the telecom report under the Telecommunications Business Act, with different offices.
Q. Who processes the report?
A. It is filed with the Minister of Science and ICT, and the Central Radio Management Service handles value-added reports.
Find out whether your service must report
Tell us your features and capital, and YouSun Administrative Agency will confirm what applies and which documents you need. Call 02-363-2251, weekdays 09:30~17:30 KST.
Request a consultation