Since 1 July 2026, a foreign company without an address in South Korea can have a .kr domain name registered in its own name following certain dispute resolution proceedings. This change removes an obstacle to domain recovery for overseas rights holders.
An exception to the local address requirement
Article 4 of Korea’s Domain Name Management Rules now provides an exception to the requirement for an address in South Korea where a transfer results from:
- a dispute resolution procedure in which a transfer has been established under Article 20, paragraphs 2 and 3, of the Internet Address Resources Act;
- a court judgment;
- a decision issued by an arbitration institution.
The amendment took effect on 1 July 2026. Specific eligibility requirements for certain categories of third-level domain names remain applicable. Source: KRNIC, Domain Name Management Rules, Article 4 and commencement provisions.
Why this change matters for brand owners
Previously, the absence of a local address could prevent a transfer to an overseas rights holder from being implemented, even after a successful complaint. The amendment addresses this difficulty by allowing a favourable outcome to result in the domain being registered in the beneficiary’s own name.
For a brand owner, the objective often extends beyond stopping an infringing use. Recovering a domain provides control over it, allowing the company to determine its use and incorporate it into its portfolio. Depending on its needs, the domain may then host a local website, redirect visitors to an official website or be retained defensively.
This option is particularly relevant to companies selling products or services in South Korea without an address in the country.
A targeted exception, not a general opening of .kr registrations
The exception applies to transfers arising in the circumstances specified in the rules. It does not make ordinary .kr registration available to everyone without a local address. Nor should it be treated as a general exemption for negotiated domain acquisitions. Source: KRNIC, Article 4.
Companies should therefore distinguish between registering an available domain and recovering a disputed one. The new exception addresses the latter, within a defined framework.
Reviewing domain recovery strategies
For brand owners, this development is an opportunity to revisit matters in which the absence of an address in South Korea was an obstacle to recovering a domain directly.
Each case still requires an individual assessment: which rights can be relied upon, how is the domain being used, which procedure is appropriate and what remedy can be sought? Holding a trademark alone does not determine the outcome of a dispute.
The distinction between cancellation and transfer also deserves attention at the outset. Cancellation does not, by itself, give the complainant control of the domain. A transfer is intended to make the complainant its registered holder. Where the objective is to secure a strategically important domain over the long term, this difference can be decisive.
It is also useful to plan for implementation: identify the intended registrant precisely, check the requirements applicable to the domain and prepare the documentation needed by the registrar.
Protecting your brand in South Korea
This amendment makes the recovery of certain Korean domain names more accessible to overseas rights holders. It gives companies another reason to include .kr in their domain monitoring and reassess disputed domains that pose commercial or reputational concerns.
IP Twins helps companies monitor, protect and manage their domain names. To assess the options for recovering a .kr domain and develop an appropriate strategy, contact our team.