What is a Liaison Office?
A liaison office allows foreign companies to operate in Korea for market research, promotion, and liaison activities only, without conducting commercial activities. It is the simplest form of Korean presence and ideal for the initial market entry stage.
Registration Requirements
Liaison offices must be registered with a foreign exchange bank under the Foreign Exchange Transactions Act. No separate government approval is required—registration alone is sufficient, typically processed within 1–2 weeks.
Operational Restrictions
Liaison offices are prohibited from engaging in profit-generating activities. Contract execution, sales, and service provision are not permitted. Only market research and promotional activities are allowed.