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Korea Company Registration

One-stop solution from company setup to tax compliance(math.) genus

Efficiently develop your core markets in East Asia

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What are the advantages of registering a company in Korea?

Asian Center for Science, Technology and Innovation
South Korea is globally recognized as a technology powerhouse, leading the world in semiconductors, electronics, automobiles, cosmetics, culture and entertainment, and digital games. Setting up a company here provides easy access to top supply chains, cutting-edge technologies and a large fan economy market.
A strategic gateway to East Asia
South Korea is an ideal hub for accessing East Asian and Asia-Pacific markets, as it is separated from the economies of China and Japan by the sea and has signed a number of free trade agreements. Its well-developed logistics network and IT infrastructure provide excellent support for cross-border commerce.
Active government support and incentives
To attract foreign investment, the Korean government offers generous tax breaks, subsidies and land rental concessions in the areas of high technology, research and development, and the establishment of regional headquarters. Various "free economic zones" and "foreign investment zones" offer more liberal and business-friendly regulations.
Highly qualified and efficient human resources
Korea has a well-educated, disciplined and tech-savvy workforce. High Internet penetration and deep digitization provide a good foundation for digital transformation and efficient business operations.
Geographical and cultural proximity to China
Compared with other developed countries, Korea has a small time difference with China, which makes business travel convenient. With similar cultures in China and Korea, communication and understanding is relatively easy, which helps to reduce the initial teething costs of cross-border management.

What are the requirements for registering a company in Korea?

Company Name and Type Selection

The company name needs to be in Korean and reflect its legal form,. The name needs to be checked for uniqueness in the court of jurisdiction. The most commonly used foreign company form is Co.
Minimum Registered Capital Requirements

There is no uniform minimum registered capital limit by law for foreign-invested corporations. However, in order to successfully obtain an investment visa (D-8) and finance the company's operations, it is usually recommended to prepare at least 100 million won (approximately 75,000 U.S. dollars) as registered capital. The registered capital is required to be in place in full prior to the establishment of the company.
Local Representative Director Requirements

The company must appoint at least one representative director based in Korea. This person can be either a Korean or a foreigner with a valid Korean long-term resident visa (e.g. D-8 investment visa). The representative director has overall legal responsibility for the company's operations.
Shareholder and Investment Visas

Shareholders can be natural or legal persons, and there is no restriction on nationality. Individual foreign shareholders wishing to obtain long-term residency in Korea through a company are usually required to invest at least 100 million won and apply for a D-8 (corporate investment) visa.
registered address

The company must have a real and valid business office address in Korea, not just a virtual address. This address will be used for company registration and receipt of government documents.

What are the main types of Korean companies?

Japanese pr. kabushiki-gaisha limited liability company Branches and Liaison Offices Partner companies, etc.

Japanese pr. kabushiki-gaisha

This is the most commonly used and reputable corporate form for foreign enterprises. Shareholders are liable to the extent of the shares they subscribe to, and the transfer of shares is relatively free, making it suitable for enterprises of all sizes, especially those planning to raise capital or go public in the future.

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limited liability company

Relatively simple structure, maximum number of shareholders is 50, and transfer of equity requires the consent of other shareholders. Suitable for SMEs with close shareholder relationships.

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Branches and Liaison Offices

A company already established in a foreign country may set up a branch office (which may engage in business activities) or a liaison office (which is limited to market research and liaison, and profit-making activities are strictly prohibited) in Korea. Both are not independent legal persons and the legal liability is borne by the foreign parent company.

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Partner companies, etc.

Other forms, such as partnerships, are rarely used by foreign investors because of the unlimited liability of shareholders.

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Basic information to be prepared for registering a Korean company

1. Identification of shareholders and representative directors

Copies of passports of all shareholders and prospective representative directors must be notarized and consular certified by a Korean embassy or consulate abroad. Corporate shareholders are required to provide the same certified certificate of incorporation, bylaws and declaration of ultimate beneficiary.
2. Company registration information

Prepare at least 3 alternative Korean company names; detailed business purpose (business scope); legal registered address in Korea (lease contract or proof of ownership is required).
3. Articles of Incorporation

The core legal document that stipulates the basic matters of the company such as name, address, purpose, capital and shares. It needs to be signed by all promoters (shareholders).
4. Proof of registered capital in place

Deposit the registered capital into a temporary account opened at a Korean bank in the name of the prospective company or in the name of the representative director and obtain a certificate of deposit from the bank.
5. Investment plans (partial cases)

For the purpose of applying for a foreign investment declaration or an investment visa, a brief investment proposal may be required, describing the content of the business, the use of the funds and the expected benefits.
6. Certification of stamps

The personal seal certificate of the representative director of the future company must be obtained locally in Korea.

Enrollment time: approximately 6 - 10 weeks total for the entire standard process

1

Phase I
Document preparation and certification (approximately 3-4 weeks)

Prepare all foreign shareholders' and directors' documents, have them notarized in their home country, and send them to the Korean Embassy or Consulate in that country for consular certification. This is one of the most time-consuming aspects.
2

Phase II
Foreign investment declaration and capital injection (about 1 week)

Open a temporary account with the Bank of Korea and inject registered capital. Submit a foreign investment declaration online through the Bank of Korea or the Korea Organization for the Promotion of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (KOSME) and obtain a declaration certificate.
3

Phase III
Court registration and establishment of legal persons (approximately 2-3 weeks)

A full set of documents, including the articles of incorporation and proof of capital, is submitted to the registry of the local court where the company is located to apply for registration of the establishment of the company. Upon approval by the court, a copy of the corporate register is issued, and the company formally acquires its legal personality.
4

Phase IV
Follow-up administration and tax registration (approximately 1-2 weeks)

With the register of legal persons, in order:
Tax registration: Register with the jurisdictional tax office and obtain a corporate tax ID number.
Customs registration (if import or export is involved)
Health insurance and national pension (social security) registration (employer registration).
Apply for/convert official residence visas (D-8, etc.) for foreign employees and shareholders.

Q&A Frequently Asked Questions

Q1:Can foreigners hold company shares in Korea 100%?

A: Absolutely. There is no restriction on the percentage of shares held by foreign investors under Korean law, and foreign natural or legal persons 100% are allowed to wholly own a corporation or a limited liability company. This is an important manifestation of the openness of the Korean economy.

Q2: Do I need a local Korean partner to register a Korean company?

A: Not required. Unlike some countries, Korea does not make it mandatory for foreign investors to enter into joint ventures with locals. You can set up a 100% foreign company. The only key is that a representative director based in Korea must be appointed, who can be a foreigner with legal residency.

Q3: Why do I need consular certification for the registration process?

A: This is a mandatory legal step established by the Korean government to ensure the authenticity of foreign documents. Any document issued outside of Korea for use in official Korean proceedings (e.g., passport copy, certificate of incorporation) must be notarized by a notary public in the country where the document was issued, and then sent to the Korean embassy or consulate in that country for "consular authentication," which certifies that the signature and seal of the foreign notary public are genuine. Without this step, the document has no legal effect in Korea.