Factory Registration in South Korea
Factory registration in South Korea: establishment approval for 500 m² or more, completion report, factory register entry and factory registration certificate.
Last updated
Focus serviceShort answer
Factory registration in South Korea follows the Industrial Cluster Development and Factory Establishment Act (산업집적활성화 및 공장설립에 관한 법률): a factory with a factory building area (공장건축면적) of 500 square metres or more first obtains factory establishment approval (공장설립등의 승인) from the city/county/district office (시장·군수·구청장), or concludes a move-in contract (입주계약) inside an industrial complex, then completes construction and equipment, files a completion report (완료신고) within 2 months, and is entered in the factory register (factory registration, 공장등록). Smaller factories can apply for factory registration directly, and approval decisions are due within 20 days of application. Once registered, the manufacturer can obtain a factory registration certificate (공장등록증명서).
Factory registration in Korea — services handled by YouSun Administrative Agency
- Factory site review, including zoning districts and permits deemed granted with approval (입지 검토·인허가 의제)
- Factory establishment approval applications for new construction, expansion and change of business type (공장설립등의 승인)
- Preparing move-in contract applications for industrial complexes (산업단지 입주계약)
- Factory establishment completion reports (공장설립등의 완료신고)
- Factory registration applications, including factories with a factory building area under 500 square metres and leased factories (공장등록)
- Factory change registration for changes to trade name, representative, business type or area (공장 변경등록)
- Guidance on obtaining a factory registration certificate and a copy of the factory register (공장등록증명서·공장등록대장 등본)
- Guidance on factory establishment procedures for foreign-invested companies (외국인투자기업 공장설립)
- Linked review of building use changes (건축물 용도변경)
Who typically engages us
- Manufacturers building a new factory or expanding an existing one
- Small and medium-sized companies starting manufacturing in a leased factory or a knowledge industry centre
- Companies preparing for policy funding or tenders that need a factory registration certificate
- Foreign-invested companies setting up a production base in Korea
- Existing factories that need change registration because their trade name, business type or area has changed
Factory registration at a glance
- Who needs it
- Factory establishment approval (공장설립등의 승인) is needed to build, expand or change the business type of a factory with a factory building area (공장건축면적) of 500 square metres or more. Smaller factories can still apply for factory registration (공장등록), and can seek approval if they want the bundled permits
- Requirements
- Individual sites must meet land-use rules; planned sites such as industrial complexes require a move-in contract (입주계약); the building must have use approval and the machinery must be installed
- Process
- Site review → factory establishment approval (or move-in contract) → construction and equipment installation → completion report (완료신고, within 2 months) → entry in the factory register → factory registration certificate (공장등록증명서)
- Documents
- Establishment approval application and attachments, approval certificate or move-in contract, completion report, building use approval, proof of manufacturing equipment installation, business plan, land and building registry extracts or lease agreement
- Timeline
- Approval decided within 20 days of application (14 days if entirely within local authority powers, 7 days if no bundled permits are involved); completion report within 2 months of use approval and installation; changes registered within 2 months
Foreign-invested manufacturers
- The Industrial Cluster Development and Factory Establishment Act (산업집적법) does not distinguish by investor nationality. The factory is registered to the business that owns or occupies it, typically your Korean subsidiary.
- Tenants can register: owners or occupiers of factories outside the approval requirement can apply for factory registration (공장등록) directly.
- Inside an industrial complex, completion reports and registration go through the complex's management agency rather than the city/county/district office (시장·군수·구청장).
- A registered manufacturer can request a factory registration certificate (공장등록증명서), and owners, occupiers and other interested parties can request a copy of the factory register; the Factory-On online support system (공장설립온라인지원시스템) issues certificates for factories outside the local area.
From site to registration certificate
1. Site and sector review
Confirm the business is manufacturing under the Korean Standard Industrial Classification and choose between an individual site and a planned site such as an industrial complex, checking any location restrictions.
2. Factory establishment approval or move-in contract
Factories with a factory building area (공장건축면적) of 500 square metres or more obtain factory establishment approval (공장설립등의 승인) from the city/county/district office (시장·군수·구청장) before the building permit. In an industrial complex, the move-in contract (입주계약) with the management agency counts as approval.
3. Construction and equipment
Build or fit out the factory, obtain building use approval and install the manufacturing machinery. Many related permits are deemed granted through the approval.
4. Completion report and registration
File the completion report (공장설립등의 완료신고) within 2 months — with the management agency if you are inside an industrial complex — and the factory is entered in the factory register.
5. Certificate and changes
Registered manufacturers can obtain a factory registration certificate (공장등록증명서), including online through the Factory-On online support system (공장설립온라인지원시스템) for factories outside the local area. Register any change to the registered details within 2 months.
Common situations
Pick the question closest to your case: each one gives the conclusion first, then what changes it, the documents involved and the expected timeline.
We are a foreign investor building a manufacturing plant in Korea — what does factory registration involve?
Short answer The same process applies as for Korean companies: factory establishment approval (공장설립등의 승인) for 500 square metres or more, construction and installation, a completion report (완료신고) and entry in the factory register in the name of the owner or occupier.
- If the plant is on an individual site Apply to the city/county/district office (시장·군수·구청장) for approval, which must decide within 20 days.
- If it is in an industrial complex The move-in contract (입주계약) counts as approval, and the management agency handles completion and registration.
- Documents
- Approval application or move-in contract, building use approval, equipment installation proof, business plan, land and building documents
- Timeline
- Approval within 20 days; completion report within 2 months of use approval and installation
What is the factory registration process in South Korea and how long does it take?
Short answer Approval (for 500 square metres or more) → construction and equipment → completion report within 2 months → entry in the factory register; the approval decision is due within 20 days.
- If you file through a factory establishment support centre The authority must notify approval or the reason for delay within 20 days; without notice, approval is deemed granted the next day, and a delay notice can extend the period by up to 10 days.
- If everything is within the local authority's powers The period is 14 days, or 7 days if no bundled permits are involved.
- Documents
- Establishment approval application, completion report, building use approval, equipment installation proof
- Timeline
- Approval 20, 14 or 7 days; completion report within 2 months
Our factory is under 500 square metres — do we still need approval or registration?
Short answer Approval is not mandatory below 500 square metres, but you can apply for factory registration directly, and you may seek approval to get the bundled permits.
- If you need bundled permits such as discharge facility or development permits Applying for approval lets those permits be deemed granted.
- If you only need the factory on the register Apply for factory registration as owner or occupier.
- Documents
- Factory registration application, building use approval, equipment installation proof, business plan, land and building documents or lease
- Timeline
- In practice, a few weeks once documents are complete
We lease our factory building — can we register the factory as a tenant?
Short answer Yes. The occupier of a factory can apply for factory registration, using the lease agreement to show the right to use the premises.
- If the factory is outside the approval requirement Apply for registration directly as the occupier.
- If your factory needs approval (500 square metres or more) Obtain approval first, then register after the completion report.
- Documents
- Lease agreement, building registry extract, building use approval, equipment installation proof, business plan
- Timeline
- Changes to registered details within 2 months
Our factory will be in an industrial complex — is the process different?
Short answer Yes. The move-in contract with the complex's management agency counts as establishment approval, and completion reports go to the management agency.
- If you sign or amend an move-in contract No separate establishment approval is needed.
- If you install facilities under the business plan File the business start report with the management agency, which must decide within 10 days.
- Documents
- Move-in contract, completion or business start report, building use approval
- Timeline
- Management agency decision on the start report within 10 days
A buyer or bank asks for our factory registration certificate (공장등록증명서) — how do we get one?
Short answer A manufacturer operating in a registered factory can request a factory registration certificate from the city/county/district office or the management agency.
- If you are the manufacturer in the registered factory Request the factory registration certificate.
- If you are an owner or occupier but not the manufacturer Request a copy of the factory register instead.
- Documents
- Certificate request; the factory must already be registered
- Timeline
- Issued on request once the factory is registered
Can we get or check a factory registration certificate online?
Short answer Yes. Through the Factory-On online support system (공장설립온라인지원시스템) you can obtain certificates, including for factories outside your local area.
- If the factory is registered Apply online for the certificate or a register copy.
- If registration is still pending Complete the completion report and registration first.
- Documents
- Online application with business details
- Timeline
- Issued once the factory is registered
We are adding a product line and expanding the building — what must be updated?
Short answer Changes to registered details must be registered within 2 months, and an expansion or change of business type that meets the 500-square-metre threshold needs establishment approval.
- If only registered details change (for example, products or equipment) File a factory change registration (공장 변경등록) within 2 months.
- If you expand or change the business type of a factory of 500 square metres or more Obtain approval for the change before building.
- If you are in an industrial complex and amend your move-in contract That amendment counts as the change registration application.
- Documents
- Change registration application, updated business plan, approval application for expansions
- Timeline
- Change registration within 2 months
We have not set up our Korean company yet — should we do that before factory registration?
Short answer In practice, yes: the factory is registered to the business that owns or occupies it, so the Korean company should be in place before the completion report and registration.
- If you need approval for a new build Plan the approval timeline alongside company incorporation.
- If you are taking over an existing registered factory Register the changed owner or occupier within 2 months.
- Documents
- Corporate registration documents, business registration, land and building documents
- Timeline
- Changes registered within 2 months
What documents are needed to register a factory in South Korea?
Short answer The core set is the approval (or move-in contract), the completion report, building use approval, proof that manufacturing equipment is installed, a business plan, and land and building documents.
- If the factory needed establishment approval Attach the approval certificate to the completion report.
- If you lease the premises Add the lease agreement.
- If the factory is in an industrial complex Use the move-in contract and file with the management agency.
- Documents
- Approval certificate or move-in contract, completion report, building use approval, equipment installation proof, business plan, registry extracts or lease
- Timeline
- Completion report within 2 months of use approval and installation
How We Handle It
Site & Sector Review
Confirm the business falls within KSIC manufacturing (C, 10–34) and choose between an individual or planned site; check restricted zones such as overconcentration control regions.
Establishment Approval
Obtain approval from the mayor, county head or district head where the factory building area is 500 square metres or more. Occupancy contracts in industrial complexes are deemed approval.
Building Permit
Apply for establishment approval before the building permit application or notification; 16 permit types are deemed granted through consultation at this stage.
Completion & Installation
Obtain building use approval and finish installing machinery. Registration of the factory building alone may be applied for before machinery installation.
Completion Report
File the completion report within two months of the date the final building use approval is obtained and machinery installation is complete.
Registration
The authority enters the factory in the factory register; 19 further registrations, notifications and permits are deemed granted after consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What counts as a factory?
A. A business site equipped with buildings or structures, manufacturing machinery forming a production process, and ancillary facilities, operated to carry on manufacturing as classified under the Korean Standard Industrial Classification (Division C, 10–34). A non-manufacturing site is not subject to factory registration under this Act.
Q. When is establishment approval required?
A. Anyone newly building, expanding or changing the business type of a factory with a building area of 500 square metres or more must obtain approval from the mayor or county head, and again for any change to the approved particulars. Minor changes may be handled by notification.
Q. Can a factory under 500 square metres apply anyway?
A. Yes. The Act allows a factory below 500 square metres to seek establishment approval where the applicant wants the deemed permits, notifications, licences, approvals, releases or use-abolitions that come with it. In practice smaller factories often apply voluntarily to obtain that bundled effect.
Q. What if the factory is in an industrial complex?
A. No separate establishment approval is needed. The Act deems approval granted where the applicant has obtained the relevant approval under the Act, concluded an occupancy or amended contract under the Act, or obtained a factory establishment permit, authorisation or licence under another statute prescribed by Presidential Decree.
Q. How long does approval take?
A. Where the application is filed through a factory establishment support centre, the mayor or county head must notify approval or the reason for delay within 20 days of receiving the documents. If no notice is given in time, approval is deemed granted on the following day. A delay notice may extend the period by up to 10 days.
Q. Which permits are bundled in?
A. Deemed permits arise at two stages. At building permit stage these include road occupancy, sewerage installation, private waterworks, private electrical facility plans, fire safety consent, hazardous substance facilities, development activity, temporary structures, waste treatment facilities and air, water and noise/vibration emission facilities. At registration stage a further 19 registrations, notifications and permits, including feed manufacturing and food manufacturing, are deemed granted after consultation.
Factory registration: key terms explained
- Industrial Cluster Development and Factory Establishment Act (산업집적법)
- The Korean short name of the Industrial Cluster Development and Factory Establishment Act (산업집적활성화 및 공장설립에 관한 법률), the act that governs factory establishment approval, completion reports, factory registration and move-in to industrial complexes.
- factory building area (공장건축면적)
- The sum of the floor area of each storey of the buildings in which machinery and equipment used as manufacturing facilities are installed and the horizontal projected area of outdoor structures used as manufacturing facilities; 500 square metres or more requires factory establishment approval.
- factory establishment approval (공장설립등의 승인)
- Approval obtained from the city/county/district office (mayor, county head or district head; 시장·군수·구청장) to build, expand or change the business type of a factory with a factory building area of 500 square metres or more; a number of other permits may be deemed granted together with the approval.
- move-in contract (industrial complex) (입주계약)
- A contract that a company intending to build a factory in an industrial complex concludes with the management agency; inside an industrial complex, the move-in contract takes the place of factory establishment approval.
- completion report (공장설립등의 완료신고)
- A report filed with the city/county/district office (or the management agency in an industrial complex) within a set period after the factory building and manufacturing facilities are complete; once it is accepted, the factory is entered in the factory register.
- factory registration (공장등록)
- The entry of a factory in the factory register by the city/county/district office or the management agency; the owner or occupier (such as a tenant) of a factory with a factory building area under 500 square metres can also apply.
- factory change registration (공장 변경등록)
- Registration applied for with the city/county/district office within 2 months when specified items entered in the factory register change.
- factory registration certificate (공장등록증명서)
- A certificate that a person carrying on manufacturing in a registered factory obtains from the city/county/district office, the management agency or the Factory-On online support system.
- Factory-On online support system (공장설립온라인지원시스템)
- A government system that handles factory establishment approval and registration applications and the issue of factory registration certificates online, including certificates for factories outside the local area.
Our office
YouSun Administrative Agency
YouSun Administrative Agency is a licensed administrative agent office (행정사사무소) on Toegye-ro in Jung-gu, Seoul. We prepare and file permit, registration and report applications with Korean government agencies on behalf of clients, in Korean, English, Chinese and Japanese.
- Address
- 3F Seongwoo Bldg, 324 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul 04614, Korea
- Phone
- +82-2-325-8222
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 09:30–17:30 (KST), closed weekends and public holidays
- Languages
- Korean · English · Chinese · Japanese