How do I register a trademark in Korea?

Jonghwan Choi, Managing Partner · Published 26 October 2026

Last verified 9 October 2026

Procedure, time limits and fees at a glance

As of October 2026. The amounts apply to applications filed electronically on or after 1 August 2023. For earlier applications, see “The amounts depend on the filing date” below.

Who can apply, and who must appoint an agent

A person who uses, or intends to use, a trademark in Korea can obtain registration of that person’s own trademark (Trademark Act (상표법), Art. 3(1)). [1]

An applicant with no address or place of business in Korea can take a trademark procedure only through a trademark manager (상표관리인) (Trademark Act, Art. 6(1)). [1] A trademark manager is an agent who has an address or place of business in Korea. There is an exception when the non-resident, or the representative of a non-resident that is a corporation, is staying in Korea. [1]

A foreigner who is a non-resident enjoys rights relating to trademarks where reciprocity or a treaty exists (Trademark Act, Art. 27). [1]

The trademark does not need to be in use in Korea at the time of filing. However, the applicant must have an intention to use it. The Trademark Examination Guidelines (상표심사기준) state that an applicant who is not currently using the trademark must at least have an intention to use it. [7]

If the examiner has a reasonable doubt about the intention to use, the examiner can issue a notification of grounds for rejection for violation of Article 3 of the Trademark Act. [7] The Trademark Examination Guidelines give examples of when such doubt arises. One example is an individual who designates goods that require large-scale capital and facilities. Another example is an applicant who designates a large number of dissimilar goods that have no connection with each other. [7] The examiner refers to materials that prove actual use, or to a trademark use plan, in making this assessment. [7]

The application states the trademark, the designated goods and the classes

The application states the applicant, the agent, the trademark, and the designated goods and their classes (Trademark Act, Art. 36(1)). [1] A separate application is filed for each trademark, and one application can designate goods in one or more classes (Trademark Act, Art. 38(1)). [1] This means that one application can cover several classes.

The classes are set out in attached Table 1 of the Enforcement Rules of the Trademark Act (상표법 시행규칙), from Class 1 to Class 45. [2] Goods that are not listed in attached Table 1 are, in principle, classified in accordance with the General Remarks of the international classification under the Nice Agreement. [2] The classification of goods does not determine the scope of similarity of goods (Trademark Act, Art. 38(3)). [1]

Documents filed with the Ministry of Intellectual Property (지식재산처, MOIP) are written in Korean (Enforcement Rules, Art. 15(1)). [2] A power of attorney, a certificate of nationality and a priority document can be filed in a foreign language, with a Korean translation attached. [2]

The filing date is the date on which the application reaches the Minister of Intellectual Property (Trademark Act, Art. 37(1)). [1] No filing date is accorded if the designated goods are not stated or if the application is not written in Korean. [1] In that case the applicant receives an order to supplement, and the date on which the written supplement reaches the office becomes the filing date (Art. 37(4)). [1]

Korea grants registration to the first person to file. When two or more applications are filed on different dates for identical or similar trademarks to be used on identical or similar goods, only the applicant with the earlier filing date can obtain registration (Trademark Act, Art. 35(1)). [1]

A claim of priority under treaty can be made only if the Korean application is filed within 6 months from the first filing date (Trademark Act, Art. 46(2)). [1] The priority claim, the country of the first filing and the date of the first filing are stated in the application at the time of filing. [1] The priority document is filed within 3 months from the Korean filing date. If it is not filed within that period, the priority claim loses its effect (Art. 46(4) and (5)). [1] The priority claim fee is KRW 18,000 per class for an electronic application. [3]

When examination raises grounds for rejection, a written opinion is filed within a period of up to 2 months

Applications are examined in the order of filing (Trademark Act, Art. 53(1)). [1] The Trademark Act has no procedure for requesting examination separately from the application. The Minister of Intellectual Property has an examiner examine each trademark application (Trademark Act, Art. 50(1)). [1]

Before issuing a decision to reject trademark registration, the examiner notifies the applicant of the grounds for rejection in advance (Trademark Act, Art. 55(1)). [1] The period for submitting a written opinion is a period set by the examiner, up to 2 months (Enforcement Rules, Art. 50(2)). [2]

A period set by the examiner can be extended at the request of the applicant (Trademark Act, Art. 17(2)). [1] Unless the regulation provides otherwise, the period for submitting a written opinion can be extended by 1 month each time, up to 4 times in total (Regulations for the Handling of Trademark Examination Affairs (상표심사사무취급규정), Art. 13(2)). [8] The fee for a request for extension of a designated period is KRW 20,000 for the part of the extension up to 1 month, and KRW 30,000 for the part over 1 month and up to 2 months. It is KRW 60,000 for the part over 2 months and up to 3 months, and KRW 120,000 for the part over 3 months and up to 4 months. [3]

An applicant who has missed the period for submitting a written opinion has one more opportunity. Within 2 months from the expiration date of the period, the applicant can apply for continuing trademark-related procedures and file the written opinion (Trademark Act, Art. 55(3)). [1] The fee for an application for continuing trademark-related procedures is KRW 40,000 per case. [3]

The applicant can amend the designated goods and the trademark within a scope that does not change the substance of the application (Trademark Act, Art. 40(1)). [1] An amendment can be made until the publication of the application if there is a decision to publish the application, and until the decision to reject trademark registration if there is none. [1] After a decision to reject trademark registration, an amendment can be made within the period for requesting re-examination where re-examination is requested. Where an appeal against the decision to reject is filed, an amendment can be made within 30 days from the date of the request for trial (Art. 40(1), subparagraphs 1 and 3). [1] After the certified copy of the decision to publish the application is served, an amendment can be made only in the cases and within the periods set out in Article 41(1). [1] An amendment that narrows the scope of the designated goods is not a change of the substance of the application (Art. 40(2), subparagraph 1). [1]

Preferential examination (accelerated examination) is a system under which the Minister of Intellectual Property can have an examiner examine an application ahead of other applications (Trademark Act, Art. 53(2)). [1] It covers an application where the applicant is using the trademark on all of the designated goods, or where preparation for such use is clear. Urgent handling must be recognised as necessary (Art. 53(2), subparagraph 2; Enforcement Decree of the Trademark Act (상표법 시행령), Art. 12, subparagraph 1). [1][6] A Korean application that is the basis of a claim of priority under treaty is also covered if the procedure is pending before the foreign office (Enforcement Decree, Art. 12, subparagraph 6). [6] The fee for a request for a preferential examination is KRW 160,000 per class. [3]

A decision to reject trademark registration is answered within 3 months, by re-examination or by appeal

If the grounds for rejection exist for only some of the designated goods, the examiner issues a decision to reject trademark registration for those designated goods only (Trademark Act, Art. 54, latter part). [1]

An applicant who has received a decision to reject trademark registration can do one of the following two things within 3 months from the date of service of the certified copy of the decision.

• Request for re-examination: The request is filed with an amendment of the designated goods or the trademark (Trademark Act, Art. 55-2(1)). [1] It cannot be filed if there is already a decision to reject trademark registration following a re-examination, or if a request for trial has been filed. [1] A request for re-examination cannot be withdrawn (Art. 55-2(4)). [1] When the request is filed electronically, the fee is KRW 20,000 for each class to which the rejected designated goods belong. [3] If the classes after the amendment exceed the classes before the amendment, KRW 52,000 is added for each class in excess. If the designated goods in one class exceed 10 after the amendment, KRW 2,000 is added for each of the goods above 10. If the application is already subject to the additional fee for designated goods, KRW 2,000 is added for each of the goods by which the goods subject to the additional fee have increased from before the amendment (Fee Regulation, Art. 5(1), subparagraph 7-2, item (a)). [3]
• Appeal against the examiner’s decision to reject a trademark application (trial against a decision to reject): The request for trial is filed for all or some of the rejected designated goods (Trademark Act, Art. 116). [1] When the request for trial is filed electronically, the fee is KRW 240,000 for each class for which there are grounds for the request for trial. If the designated goods in that class exceed 10, KRW 2,000 is added for each of the goods above 10. [3]

The period for requesting a trial can be extended once, by up to 30 days (Trademark Act, Art. 17(1), subparagraph 3). [1] If the period for requesting a trial is extended, the period for requesting re-examination is also the extended period (Trademark Act, Art. 55-2(1)). [1]

If the applicant could not keep the period for requesting a trial for a cause not attributable to the applicant, subsequent completion of the procedure is possible. This must be done within 2 months from the date on which the cause ceased to exist, and not later than 1 year from the expiration date of the period (Trademark Act, Art. 19). [1]

Partial rejection, a request for trial for some of the designated goods, and the request for re-examination apply to trademark applications filed on or after 4 February 2023. Articles 2 and 3 of the Addenda to Act No. 18817 provide that they apply from applications filed on or after the enforcement date of the Act. [1]

After publication, anyone can file an opposition for 30 days

If the examiner finds no grounds for rejection, the examiner issues a decision to publish the application (Trademark Act, Art. 57(1)). [1] Once the application is published, anyone can file an opposition (formal objection) within 30 days from the publication date (Trademark Act, Art. 60(1)). [1] The opposition fee is KRW 50,000 per class. [3]

The opposition period (period for raising a formal objection) was shortened from 2 months to 30 days on 22 July 2025. [1][5] The former 2 months apply to applications that had already been published as of 22 July 2025 (Addenda to Act No. 20697, Art. 4). [1]

The opponent can amend the grounds and evidence within 30 days after the opposition period has ended (Trademark Act, Art. 61). [1] When an opposition is filed, the applicant is served with a copy of the notice of opposition and is given an opportunity to file a written answer within a set period (Trademark Act, Art. 66(1)). [1]

Even after publication of the application, the examiner can issue a decision to reject trademark registration ex officio on finding grounds for rejection (Trademark Act, Art. 67(1)). [1]

After the decision to grant trademark registration, the registration fee is paid within 2 months

If the examiner finds no grounds for rejection, the examiner issues a decision to grant trademark registration (Trademark Act, Art. 68). [1] The registration fee is paid within 2 months from the date of receiving the certified copy of the decision to grant trademark registration (Fee Regulation, Art. 8(7), subparagraph 1). [3] The trademark right arises on registration (Trademark Act, Art. 82(1)). [1]

The registration fee is KRW 201,000 per class. If the designated goods in one class exceed 10, KRW 2,000 is added for each of the goods above 10 (Fee Regulation, Art. 5(2), subparagraph 1). [3] Until 31 December 2029, KRW 10,000 is deducted if the trademark registration certificate is issued electronically. [3]

The registration fee can be paid in 2 installments (Trademark Act, Art. 72(1)). [1] In that case each installment is KRW 122,000 per class, and KRW 1,000 is added per installment for each of the designated goods above 10. [3] The second installment is paid within 5 years from the registration date. [3] If the second installment is not paid, the trademark right is extinguished when 5 years have passed from the registration date (Trademark Act, Art. 83(3)). [1]

The payment period can be extended on request by not more than 30 days (Trademark Act, Art. 74). [1] The request for extension must be filed before the payment period ends, and its fee is KRW 20,000 per case. [3]

If the registration fee is not paid within the payment period, the application is deemed abandoned (Trademark Act, Art. 75). [1] If only part of the registration fee has been paid, the Minister of Intellectual Property orders payment of the remainder. The applicant can pay the remainder within 1 month from the date of receiving the order (Trademark Act, Art. 76(1) and (2)). [1] This 1 month is the period for remainder payment.

An applicant who could not pay for good reason can pay within 2 months from the date on which the cause ceased to exist. However, payment is no longer possible once 1 year has passed from the later of the expiration date of the payment period and the expiration date of the period for remainder payment (Trademark Act, Art. 77(1)). [1]

An applicant who has received a decision to grant trademark registration for two or more designated goods can abandon the registration for individual designated goods when paying the registration fee (Trademark Act, Art. 73(1)). [1]

The amounts depend on the filing date

The application fee and the registration fee changed on 1 August 2023, and the new amounts apply only to applications filed on or after that date. Article 5 of the Addenda to the Fee Regulation (Ordinance of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy No. 517) provides that applications filed before it entered into force follow the previous provisions. [3]

The previous amounts are those of the Fee Regulation in force from 4 February 2023. [4] The application fee, the registration fee and the fee for renewal of registration have not changed since 1 August 2023. [3]

An application filed before 1 August 2023 pays a registration fee of KRW 211,000 per class even if the decision to grant trademark registration is received now (Addenda, Art. 5(2)). [3][4]

The additional fee for designated goods in the fee for an appeal against the decision to reject also depends on the filing date. For an application filed before 1 August 2023, the additional fee starts from the goods above 20 (Addenda, Art. 5(3)). [3][4] The amount of KRW 240,000 per class is the same. [4]

The additional fee in the fee for a request for re-examination also depends on the filing date. Where the trademark application was filed or re-examination was requested before 1 August 2023, the previous provisions apply (Addenda, Art. 5(1)). [3] Under the previous provisions, KRW 62,000 is added for each class in excess, and the additional fee for designated goods starts from the goods above 20. [4] The amount of KRW 20,000 per class is the same. [4] Because re-examination applies only to applications filed on or after 4 February 2023, this covers applications filed from 4 February to 31 July 2023. [1]

For the fee for renewal of registration, the relevant date is not the filing date but the date of the application to register renewal of duration of trademark rights (application to renew the term of a registered trademark). Article 5(2) of the Addenda applies the previous provisions only where the renewal application was filed before 1 August 2023. [3]

The duration is 10 years and can be renewed

The duration of trademark rights is 10 years from the registration date, and it can be renewed for 10 years at a time (Trademark Act, Art. 83(1) and (2)). [1]

The written renewal application is filed within 1 year before the expiry of the duration. A trademark right holder who did not file within that period can file within 6 months after expiry (Trademark Act, Art. 84(2)). [1] The fee for renewal of registration is KRW 300,000 per class for an application filed before expiry, and KRW 330,000 for an application filed after expiry. [3] KRW 2,000 is added for each of the designated goods above 10 in one class. [3]

After registration, use becomes the issue. What matters is a period during which none of the trademark right holder, the exclusive licensee and the non-exclusive licensee has used the registered trademark on the designated goods. If the trademark has not been used in Korea for 3 consecutive years or more without justifiable grounds, it becomes subject to a request for a trial to cancel trademark registration (trial to revoke trademark registration) (Trademark Act, Art. 119(1), subparagraph 3). [1] Anyone can request this trial (Art. 119(5)). [1]

When Korea is designated in a Madrid international application

An international application under the Madrid Protocol that designates Korea is deemed a trademark application under the Trademark Act (Trademark Act, Art. 180(1)). [1] The date of the international registration is deemed the Korean filing date. For a subsequent designation, the date of the subsequent designation is deemed the filing date (Art. 180(2)). [1] The application is examined, but there are differences from a direct application. Among the procedures covered in this article, the differences are as follows.

• Official fees: The individual fee is paid to the International Bureau. Articles 72 to 77 of the Trademark Act, on the registration fee, do not apply (Trademark Act, Art. 194). [1]
• Priority document: Article 46(4) and (5), on the filing of the priority document and the effect of not filing it, do not apply (Trademark Act, Art. 188). [1]
• Preferential examination: Article 53(2), on preferential examination, does not apply (Trademark Act, Art. 189(2)). [1]
• Amendment: Only the designated goods can be amended. An amendment under Article 40(1) is limited to the case where a notification of grounds for rejection has been received (Trademark Act, Art. 185(1)). [1] An amendment after the certified copy of the decision to publish the application is served (Art. 41(1)) is also limited to the designated goods (Art. 185(4)). [1]
• Application for continuing trademark-related procedures: The application for continuing trademark-related procedures after a missed period for submitting a written opinion (Art. 55(3)) does not apply (Trademark Act, Art. 190(2)). [1]
• Re-examination: The request for re-examination (Art. 55-2) does not apply (Trademark Act, Art. 193-2). [1] A decision to reject trademark registration is answered by an appeal against the decision to reject.
• Duration: The duration runs from the registration date to the day on which 10 years have passed from the date of the international registration (Trademark Act, Art. 198(1)). [1] Renewal is made by renewal of the international registration (renewal of duration of international registration) (Art. 198(2)). [1]
• Trial request fee: The fee for an appeal against the decision to reject has no additional fee for the number of designated goods. [3]

Example: one, two and three classes

The figures assume an application filed electronically on or after 1 August 2023 that designates only notified names of goods and has no priority claim. Agent fees and translation costs are not included. The deduction of KRW 10,000 for an electronic registration certificate is also not reflected.

With 15 goods in each of 2 classes, the application fee is 2 × (KRW 46,000 + 5 × KRW 2,000). The registration fee is 2 × (KRW 201,000 + 5 × KRW 2,000).

Payment in installments means paying the same amount twice, so the total is higher than the single lump sum payment. For 1 class with 10 goods, the difference is between KRW 244,000 and KRW 201,000.

What applicants should do

• In general, we suggest filing first, at the stage when the plan for use is settled, for a trademark that will be used in Korea. This is because Korea grants registration to the first person to file.
• If there is a home-country application, we suggest managing the day that falls 6 months from the first filing date as the time limit for the Korean application.
• Consider composing the designated goods from the names notified by MOIP, with 10 or fewer in each class. This is because the additional fees on the application fee and the registration fee start from the goods above 10.
• If a notification of grounds for rejection covers only some of the designated goods, we suggest deciding how to respond within the period for submitting a written opinion. The options are an amendment that reduces the designated goods and a divisional application.
• After a decision to grant trademark registration, we suggest deciding at once on the 2-month payment period and on single lump sum payment or payment in installments. This is because the application is deemed abandoned if the payment period is missed.
• Please confirm the assessment of an individual case with a Korean agent.

FAQ

Can I file before I have used the trademark in Korea?

Yes. Article 3(1) of the Trademark Act provides that a person who intends to use a trademark in Korea can also obtain registration. [1] However, there must be an intention to use, and the examiner can issue a notification of grounds for rejection in case of doubt. [7] After registration, a trademark that has not been used in Korea for 3 consecutive years or more without justifiable grounds becomes subject to a request for a trial to cancel trademark registration. [1]

Can several classes be filed in one application?

Yes. One application can designate goods in one or more classes (Trademark Act, Art. 38(1)). [1] The application fee and the registration fee are charged per class. [3]

Is the opposition period not 2 months?

It is 30 days from the publication date of the application. [1] It was shortened from 2 months to 30 days on 22 July 2025. The former 2 months apply only to applications that had already been published as of 22 July 2025. [1][5]

What happens if the registration fee is not paid in time?

The application is deemed abandoned (Trademark Act, Art. 75). [1] Before the payment period ends, an extension of up to 30 days can be requested. [1][3] If there was good reason, the fee can be paid within 2 months from the date on which the cause ceased to exist. The limit is 1 year from the later of the expiration date of the payment period and the expiration date of the period for remainder payment. [1]

Can the application be filed in English?

No. Documents must be written in Korean, and no filing date is accorded if the application is not written in Korean. [1][2] A power of attorney and a priority document can be filed in a foreign language with a Korean translation attached. [2]

How DEFINE IP Law Firm handles this

Before a trademark application is filed, DEFINE IP Law Firm reviews the composition of the designated goods and classes together with the cost items. We manage the priority time limit, the period for submitting a written opinion and the payment period for the registration fee as time limits for each case. For questions about trademark applications in Korea, please write to contact@defineip.kr.

Sources

1. Trademark Act (상표법), Act No. 21134, in force from 11 November 2025. Articles 3, 6, 17, 19, 27, 35 to 38, 40, 41, 45, 46, 50, 53 to 55-2, 57, 60, 61, 66 to 68, 72 to 77, 82 to 84, 116, 119, 180, 185, 188 to 190, 193-2, 194 and 198, Addenda to Act No. 18817 (3 February 2022) Arts. 1 to 3, Addenda to Act No. 20697 (21 January 2025) Arts. 1 and 4. https://www.law.go.kr/법령/상표법 (verified 9 October 2026)
2. Enforcement Rules of the Trademark Act (상표법 시행규칙), Prime Ministerial Decree No. 2120, in force from 17 June 2026. Articles 15, 28 and 50, attached Table 1. https://www.law.go.kr/법령/상표법시행규칙 (verified 9 October 2026)
3. Regulation on the Collection of Patent Fees, etc. (특허료 등의 징수규칙), Prime Ministerial Decree No. 2098, in force from 27 February 2026. Articles 5 and 8(7), Addenda to Ordinance of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy No. 517 (1 August 2023) Art. 5. https://www.law.go.kr/법령/특허료등의징수규칙 (verified 9 October 2026)
4. Regulation on the Collection of Patent Fees, etc. (특허료 등의 징수규칙), Ordinance of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy No. 499, in force from 4 February 2023 (amounts before the amendment). Article 5(1), subparagraphs 1 and 7-2, Article 5(2), subparagraph 1, and Article 5(3), subparagraph 1. Version history at https://www.law.go.kr/법령/특허료등의징수규칙 (verified 9 October 2026)
5. Trademark Act (상표법), Act No. 20200, in force from 7 August 2024 (opposition period before the amendment). Article 60(1). Version history at https://www.law.go.kr/법령/상표법 (verified 9 October 2026)
6. Enforcement Decree of the Trademark Act (상표법 시행령), Presidential Decree No. 35809, in force from 1 October 2025. Article 12. https://www.law.go.kr/법령/상표법시행령 (verified 9 October 2026)
7. Ministry of Intellectual Property (지식재산처), Trademark Examination Guidelines (상표심사기준), MOIP Established Rule No. 5, in force from 10 December 2025. Part 2, Chapter 2, Section 2, Confirmation of actual use and intention to use. https://www.law.go.kr/행정규칙/상표심사기준 (verified 9 October 2026)
8. Ministry of Intellectual Property (지식재산처), Regulations for the Handling of Trademark Examination Affairs (상표심사사무취급규정), MOIP Directive No. 39, in force from 1 July 2026. Article 13. https://www.law.go.kr/행정규칙/상표심사사무취급규정 (verified 9 October 2026)