Private Academy (Hagwon) Establishment & Operation Registration in Korea

What is private academy registration?

A hagwon is a private facility that teaches knowledge, skills or arts under a course of 30 days or more to learners at or above a set number, or to an unspecified public. The set number is 10 persons who can be taught or use the study space at the same time. Academies are classified as school-curriculum academies and lifelong/vocational education academies. Anyone setting up and running one must register with the Superintendent of Education, stating the founder's details, courses, instructor list, tuition and facilities in the application.

What are the requirements?

(1) Facilities: facilities and equipment needed for teaching and learning must be provided and maintained according to unit facility standards set by city/province ordinance for each course, and fire-safety facilities follow fire laws.

(2) Course structure: a course made up of theory subjects and experiment/practice subjects cannot be split to set up separate academies.

(3) Disqualification: persons under adult or limited guardianship, undischarged bankrupts, persons less than 3 years past completing a sentence of imprisonment or on a suspended sentence, persons less than 1 year past a fine for violating this Act, and persons less than 1 year past cancellation of an academy registration (including the representative of a corporation) cannot register; the same applies if an officer of a corporation falls under these grounds. If a disqualification ground arises after registration, the registration loses effect (with an exception for corporations that replace the officer within 3 months).

(4) Refusal: registration may be refused if you apply within 1 year of a registration cancellation to run the same course at the same place.

Which documents are needed?

The application states the founder's details, academy name and location, type and courses, capacity, instructor list, tuition and facilities, and planned opening date, and is submitted with the academy rules and documents to the Superintendent. The academy rules cover matters such as the name, purpose and location.

Attachments: (1) the academy rules, (2) a floor plan, (3) articles of incorporation and board minutes on establishment (corporations only), and (4) proof of the right to use the premises. The officer checks the building register and the resident register extract (individuals) or the corporate registry (corporations) through shared administrative information, and an electrical safety inspection certificate for applicable facilities.

What is the procedure?

(1) Plan courses, instructors, tuition and facilities → (2) prepare facilities and equipment → (3) submit the application, rules and documents → (4) registration is accepted if the facility standards and educational environment are met → (5) the registration certificate is issued and must be posted at the academy. Instructors' personal details must be posted, and instructors must meet the qualifications set by decree.

How long does it take?

The application form states a processing period of 8 days. Time for facility work and course preparation is separate; confirm the actual period with the receiving office of education.

Which authority receives the registration?

The Superintendent of Education; in practice, the district office of education with jurisdiction over the academy's location.

What is the statutory fee?

The registration application form states that there is no fee. (Form under the Enforcement Rule effective 2026-07-16. Private service fees are not statutory fees and are excluded; document issuance and other costs are separate.)

Why is a registration rejected or supplementation requested?

Reasons confirmed in the law: facilities or educational environment not meeting the standards, a disqualification ground, re-registering the same course at the same place within 1 year of cancellation, splitting theory and practice courses, or missing attachments such as the floor plan or proof of use rights. Running an academy without registration can lead to up to 1 year's imprisonment or a fine of up to KRW 10 million.

What can an administrative attorney help with?

YouSun Administrative Attorney prepares and submits application or report documents on your authorization. Work restricted by other laws cannot be handled, and litigation or court representation is lawyer work and is not offered. Approval, registration or acceptance, and the outcome, are decided by the competent authority.