The response period
When the examiner intends to refuse an application, KIPO sends a notice of the grounds for rejection and sets a period for a written opinion and amendments. The period may be set at up to four months, and since 11 July 2025 KIPO sets four months, in place of the earlier two months.
If your response is ready earlier, it can be filed with a request to shorten the period, which brings the next examination forward.
Extending the period
The period can be extended on request, filed before it expires. The official fee depends on the length of the extension:
| Extension | Official fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 1 month | KRW 20,000 |
| Over 1 and up to 2 months | KRW 30,000 |
| Over 2 and up to 3 months | KRW 60,000 |
| Over 3 and up to 4 months | KRW 120,000 |
| Each month beyond 4 months | KRW 240,000 |
If there is no response
Without a response, the examiner decides to refuse the application. The applicant then has three months from receiving the decision to choose between:
- Re-examination: amend the description or claims and request re-examination by the examiner.
- Appeal: appeal the decision to the Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board. The three-month appeal period can be extended once, by up to 30 days, and re-examination can then be requested within the extended period.
Working with us
We report every office action in English and give you the deadline and our quote for the response. Send your instructions well before the deadline so that we can prepare the amendments in Korean and discuss them with you.
Questions
How long do I have to respond to a Korean office action?
Four months for notices issued since 11 July 2025 (previously two months). The period can be extended on request for an official fee.
How much does it cost to extend a Korean office action deadline?
The official fee depends on the length: KRW 20,000 for up to one month, 30,000 for the second month, 60,000 for the third, 120,000 for the fourth and 240,000 for each month beyond.
What if we do not respond?
The examiner refuses the application. Within three months of the decision you can amend and request re-examination, or appeal to the Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board.
Can the appeal period be extended?
Yes, once, by up to 30 days. Re-examination can also be requested within the extended period.
Legal basis
- Patent Act, Art. 63 — notice of grounds for rejection and period for a written opinion
- Enforcement Rule of the Patent Act, Art. 16 — period of up to 4 months
- KIPO press release, 8 July 2025 — period extended from 2 to 4 months from 11 July 2025
- Rules on the Collection of Patent Fees, Art. 2 — extension fees (para. 1, item 13-2)
- Patent Act, Art. 67-2, Patent Act, Art. 132-17, Patent Act, Art. 15 — re-examination, appeal and extension of the appeal period