View our updated IP guidance

for doing business in South Korea

We have published guidance for people wishing to do business in overseas regions, including South Korea. Our country guides include information on how to use regional databases to help you protect your intellectual property (IP).

IP in South Korea guide

Did you know?

South Korea announced 1st as the most innovative country in Asia second year running and 6th worldwide in the 2022 Global Innovation Index.

Total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) between the UK and South Korea was £18.3 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q4 2022, an increase of 30.7% or £4.3 billion in current prices from the four quarters to the end of Q4 2021.

UK businesses have achieved success in South Korea in financial services and telecommunications, computer, and information services. Popular UK goods exported to South Korea include cars, clothing, and non-ferrous metals.

South Korea is party to a number of international agreements in the field of intellectual property such as:

• The Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works,
• The Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property,
• The Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks.

What you need to know before you go

• The Korean Intellectual property office website is fully accessible in English.

  Nevertheless, filling Intellectual property directly with South Korea may require the application be completed in Korean. For this, recruiting an IP expert or ensuring your application is translated accurately is advised.