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In South Korea, trademarks are renewed through the Ministry of Intellectual Property (MOIP), formerly the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). As of October 1, 2025, KIPO was elevated to full ministry status and renamed the Ministry of Intellectual Property, centralizing Korea's IP governance under the Prime Minister's Office.
South Korea is a member of the Madrid Protocol and operates under a strict first-to-file trademark system. If your trademark is an International Registration designating South Korea, the renewal of that international registration is handled through WIPO Madrid System procedures.
Foreign applicants without a residential or business address in South Korea must appoint a local representative a registered trademark attorney or agent with a Korean address for all MOIP procedures, including renewals and fee payments.
Trademark protection in South Korea is granted for a fixed term starting from the date of registration, and each renewal extends protection for another term. Under current rules, the term is 10 years.
Renewal can be filed up to 1 year before the expiry date. South Korea also allows a late renewal period of up to 6 months after expiry, subject to an additional surcharge. If you do not renew by the end of this grace period, the trademark expires permanently. Restoration is not permitted — the only recourse is to file a new application.
For example, if the registration date of a South Korean trademark is 2015-03-10:
The initial term ends on 2025-03-10 (10 years).
The renewal window opens on 2024-03-10 (1 year before expiry) and closes on 2025-03-10.
The grace period then runs from 2025-03-10 to 2025-09-10, with a late surcharge payable.
Once renewed, the next renewal would be due by 2035-03-10, and so on.
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In South Korea, trademarks are just one form of intellectual property. Other important IP rights include patents, utility models, and designs. Explore our patent renewal pages for country-specific guidance and official fee information.
If you need any help renewing patents or trademarks and are looking for a cost-efficient solution, get in touch with us.
The first renewal is due at the end of the initial 10-year registration term. You can file the renewal application starting 1 year before the expiry date. A 6-month grace period after expiry exists, subject to a surcharge. If both windows are missed, the trademark expires permanently and cannot be restored a new application is required.
Yes, within the 6-month grace period after the expiry date, by paying the standard renewal fee plus a late surcharge. After this grace period, the trademark is irrevocably cancelled. Unlike some jurisdictions, South Korea does not permit restoration of expired trademarks.
A South Korean trademark registration lasts 10 years from the date of registration, and each renewal extends it for another 10 years. There is no limit to the number of times a trademark can be renewed, as long as renewal fees are paid on time.
MOIP does not require proof of use in order to renew a trademark. However, a trademark that has not been used for three consecutive years following registration may be subject to a cancellation trial by any third party. The Korean Supreme Court has clarified that only genuine commercial use not token or symbolic use, is sufficient to defend against cancellation.
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