Domestic Agent Service for Overseas Game Companies in Korea

Operating a game service for Korean users without a local entity now requires a reliable, locally reachable representative. Under Korea’s Game Industry Promotion Act (notably Article 31-2 and related Enforcement Decree provisions), certain overseas online game publishers and distributors must designate a Domestic Agent. KOISRA UP provides a focused Domestic Agent service that delivers the statutory minimum with the option to extend scope by contract—so you stay compliant while retaining operational control of your titles. 

Who Needs a Domestic Agent

The requirement generally applies to overseas companies that:

• Distribute or provide game services targeting Korea but do not maintain a domicile or place of business in Korea.
• Meet the threshold criteria set by the Enforcement Decree (e.g., prior-year global sales or average daily installations in Korea for mobile titles), or are requested by the competent authority to report due to incidents undermining distribution order.

Effective date: The Domestic Agent requirement is applicable from October 23, 2025.

For more information about the requirement, please check our insight: Korea’s Domestic Agent Requirement for Overseas Game Companies.

What a Domestic Agent Does (Statutory Minimum)

By law, the Domestic Agent is a locally reachable representative that facilitates and executes required interactions and disclosures in Korea. Unless otherwise agreed by contract, the agent is not mandated to technically audit or certify the factual accuracy of your content; that accuracy remains the publisher’s responsibility.

• Regulatory communications (post-management reporting): Receive and respond to inquiries, reports, or inspections from competent authorities; coordinate submissions and retain correspondence records.
• Disclosure facilitation (indications): Arrange for required labels and notices to appear where the law requires (e.g., product UI, official website, advertising/promotions), including probabilistic-item disclosures and, where applicable, operational display requirements. Placement and presence are coordinated by the agent; underlying data is provided by the publisher.
• Local reachability: Maintain Korean contact channels (address, domestic phone, email) that are reachable for compliance-related issues; ensure your Korean Terms & Conditions include up-to-date agent details.

Scope note: Our role as Domestic Agent covers game compliance contact only. We do not handle gameplay, billing, refunds, bug reports, moderation, or general customer service.

Our Domestic Agent Service in Korea

We deliver the statutory minimum with a clear pathway to extend scope by contract if you require additional governance. The default package includes:

• Designation & Documentation: Formal appointment as your Domestic Agent; designation confirmation for your records; guidance to update your Korean T&Cs with agent details.
• Regulatory Interface: Named point of contact in Korea for authority inquiries; triage, routing, and timely responses; preparation and submission of requested materials related to compliance.
• Disclosure Coordination: Mapping of required indication surfaces (game UI, web pages, store listings, ads) and coordination to ensure presence and placement of mandated notices, including probabilistic-item disclosures where applicable.
• Recordkeeping: Organized logs of inbound requests, submissions, and evidence files to support traceability.

Optional extensions (by contract): pre-release compliance checks for disclosure placement, structured review workflows tied to content updates or events, advertising/promotional material checks for required indications, and tailored reporting cadences. These add-ons do not convert our role into general customer service.

How It Works

• 1) Scoping: We review your titles, distribution channels, Korean audience targeting, and internal stakeholders.
• 2) Contract & Designation: We finalize a service agreement reflecting the statutory minimum and any agreed extensions; we issue designation materials.
• 3) T&Cs & Channels: We provide agent details for your Korean T&Cs and confirm working phone/email routes for compliance matters.
• 4) Operating Rhythm: We align on who provides disclosure data, update triggers (patches, events, campaigns), and sign-off responsibilities.
• 5) Live Operations: We act as your Domestic Agent, handle authority communications, coordinate disclosures, and maintain a defensible audit trail.

Why KOISRA UP

• Focused compliance execution: A service designed around the legal minimum, with modular extensions when you need them.
• Established in 2009: Over a decade of continuous operations in Korea, supporting and representing foreign companies and global brands entering and expanding in the market.
• Representation You Can Trust: Proven track record acting as a local representative and liaison for overseas principals across regulated and consumer-facing sectors.
• Bilingual, Business-First Execution: Korean ↔ English communications with regulators and stakeholders, paired with clear, actionable updates for your global teams.
• Compliance-Centered Approach: Focus on statutory minimum obligations with optional, contract-based extensions—keeping you compliant without overengineering.
• Structured Processes: Defined intake, response, and recordkeeping workflows that create audit-ready documentation and predictable turnaround.
• Market Familiarity & Network: Practical understanding of Korean regulatory expectations, industry practices, and partner ecosystems to resolve issues efficiently.
• Scalable Engagement: Start with the legal minimum and expand as needed (e.g., disclosure coordination cadence, pre-release checks) without converting into customer service.