Important limitations
Legal and Regulatory Disclaimer
The precise applicability and scope of a Korean domestic-representative requirement depends on the company’s facts and the law in force.
General information only
The website explains representative regimes in plain English for general business information. It does not provide Korean legal advice, a legal opinion, tax advice or regulatory approval.
No attorney-client relationship
Agent Direct and KOISRA Co., Ltd. do not describe themselves as a Korean law firm. Use of the website, an inquiry, or a preliminary screening does not create an attorney-client relationship. Independent Korean legal advice may be recommended when interpretation is required.
Applicability is fact-specific
A foreign company’s industry label alone does not determine whether a representative is required. Relevant factors may include legal classification, Korean users or customers, revenue, activity, Korean presence, controlled Korean entities, data processing, authority contact, effective dates, exclusions and transition rules.
Separate legal regimes
AI, telecommunications, e-commerce, game-industry and PIPA appointments arise under different laws. One designation does not automatically satisfy another regime, even when the same person or company could be eligible for several appointments.
Client responsibilities remain
Appointment does not transfer all compliance responsibility from the foreign company. The client remains responsible for its products, services, transactions, technical systems, data, records, substantive decisions, approvals and duties outside the representative’s defined statutory and contractual scope.
No automatic business role
A representative does not become an importer, distributor, reseller, seller, merchant of record, payment recipient, publisher, game developer, personal-information controller, processor, data-protection officer, licence holder or legal counsel merely through appointment.
No guarantee
KOISRA does not guarantee that a company is eligible to appoint Agent Direct, that a regulator will accept an appointment or submission, that a particular outcome will occur, or that appointment will prevent enforcement or penalties.
Engagement conditions
Any service is subject to current-law review, eligibility, due diligence, conflict and capacity checks, scope confirmation, agreed fees and a signed contract. Agent Direct does not have authority to bind the foreign company, make admissions, settle claims, approve refunds or take other substantive actions unless a signed agreement expressly grants defined authority.
Source and date limitations
Regulatory pages state when information was last verified and link to primary or official sources. Korean source text controls. Laws, enforcement decrees, addenda, regulator names, forms and guidance can change after the verification date.