Security Guard Services in South Korea

How to Become a Licensed Security Guard in South Korea

Private security in South Korea is governed by the Security Services Industry Act. Only corporations may operate a security business, and they must obtain a license from the Commissioner of the Metropolitan or Provincial Police Agency with jurisdiction over the location of their main office. Security guards must meet the age and disqualification criteria set by the Act and complete new-hire training and in-service job training.

Regulator: Commissioner of the Metropolitan or Provincial Police Agency (Metropolitan and Provincial Police Agencies under the Korean National Police Agency). Governing law: Security Services Industry Act (Act No. 20645, partially amended 7 January 2025, in force 8 January 2026) law.go.kr

Requirements

• General security guards and security instructors must be at least 18 years old and must not be under adult guardianship (Article 10(1)).
• Special security guards must be at least 18 and under 60 years old, must not be under adult guardianship and must meet set physical requirements (Article 10(2)).
• People with certain criminal records, including some suspended sentences, are disqualified (Article 10).
• Security guards must receive the new-hire training and in-service job training prescribed by Presidential Decree (Article 13).
• A security business may exempt general security guards with the experience or qualifications prescribed by Presidential Decree from new-hire training, and people who intend to become general security guards may complete new-hire training in advance at a designated institution (Article 13).

Application Steps

1. Meet the age and disqualification criteria of Article 10.
2. Complete new-hire training (unless exempt as a qualifying general security guard), either in advance at a designated institution or through the employing security business.
3. Be employed by a security business licensed under the Security Services Industry Act.
4. Continue to complete in-service job training while working.

Agency Licensing

A corporation must specify the security services it will provide and obtain a license from the Commissioner of the Metropolitan or Provincial Police Agency with jurisdiction over the location of its main office (Article 4(1)). License requirements include paid-in capital of at least KRW 100 million, staffing standards (for facility security services, at least 10 security guards and at least 1 security instructor; for other security services, the standards prescribed by Presidential Decree), and the facilities and equipment prescribed by Presidential Decree (Article 4(2)). A security business must report closure or suspension of business, changes to its name, representative or officers, the opening, relocation or closure of its main office or branch offices, and the start or end of special security services (Article 4(3)).

Firearms may be used only by special security guards protecting national key facilities. At the request of the facility owner, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan or Provincial Police Agency may purchase firearms that the facility owner has paid for and donated to the state, and have the head of the competent police office lend them to the facility owner so that special security guards can carry them. Firearms may be used only when necessary, when no other means is available, and to the minimum extent, and armed special security guards may not leave their designated security area without a justifiable reason (Article 14).

A security business license is valid for five years from the date it is granted (Article 6(1)).

Sources

• Security Services Industry Act (Gyeongbieopbeop), National Law Information Center

Requirements change. Confirm current rules with the official regulator before applying. This summary is general information, not legal advice. Last reviewed November 2026.