Campground Business Registration in Korea

Does a campground need a permit or registration?

A campground business requires registration, not a permit or a report. It is a business that lets tourists use a site equipped with facilities and equipment suitable for camping and that provides camping conveniences; youth campgrounds under the Youth Activity Promotion Act are excluded. Campground businesses are divided into general campground businesses and auto campground businesses.

What are the requirements for campground business registration?

The registration standards are set by the Enforcement Decree. The common standards include: (1) a safe location with no risk of flooding, washout, isolation, landslides or falling rocks; (2) posting the site layout, how to use the facilities and what to do in an emergency; (3) facilities or equipment to alert users in an emergency; (4) enough fire extinguishers, placed where they can be seen; (5) shelters and evacuation routes; (6) management staff present on site whenever the campground is open; and (7) the total floor area of buildings must be less than 10% of the entire campground area.

The individual standards are: for a general campground, at least 15 square meters of space per tent, sewage facilities, toilets and a vehicle lane for emergency transport; for an auto campground, at least 50 square meters of camping space per vehicle, plus water supply and sewage, electricity, toilets and cooking facilities. Additional requirements, such as area limits, apply when the campground is in a conservation management area or a conservation green area. In addition, registration is refused if the applicant (for a corporation, the representative or an officer) falls under a disqualification, such as being under adult guardianship or being bankrupt and not yet reinstated.

Which documents are needed for campground business registration?

Attach a business plan, a document showing the applicant's name and resident registration number (for foreign nationals, documents proving no disqualification applies), floor plans and layout drawings of the facilities, and a facility list to the tourism business registration application. A campground also needs proof of permits obtained under other laws, the pre-use inspection certificate under the Electrical Safety Management Act, and a water-quality test report if groundwater or similar water is used as drinking water. The corporate register, real-estate register and LPG facility completion inspection certificate are checked through shared administrative information.

What is the procedure for campground business registration?

(1) Check the location and permits under other laws (building, farmland, mountain land, etc.) → (2) install facilities that meet the registration standards → (3) submit the registration application and documents → (4) review → (5) receive the registration certificate. After registration, the safety and hygiene standards must be observed, and any change to registered matters requires a change registration within 30 days of the cause arising.

How long does campground business registration take?

The processing period on the registration application form is 7 days, the same as for travel agencies and tourist accommodation businesses. If permits under other laws need to be checked or supplementation is needed, the actual time may differ.

Which authority receives campground business registration?

Register with the Special Self-Governing City Mayor, Special Self-Governing Province Governor, or head of the si/gun/gu (for autonomous districts, the head of the gu) with jurisdiction over the campground's location.

Why is a campground business registration rejected?

Typical reasons confirmed in the law are failing to meet the registration standards (safe location, fire extinguishers, evacuation routes, on-site staff, area standards), falling under a disqualification, and missing required documents (the electrical pre-use inspection certificate, facility floor plans and layout drawings). Operating a campground business without registration can lead to imprisonment of up to 2 years or a fine of up to KRW 20 million.

What can an administrative agent help with?

YouSun Administrative Agency prepares documents such as the tourism business registration application and business plan and submits them to the authority on your authorization. Facility design and construction, fire and electrical safety inspections, and surveying are not handled. Work restricted by other laws cannot be handled, and litigation or court representation is outside the scope of an administrative agent and is not offered. Whether registration is granted is decided by the competent authority.