DRINKING WATER MANAGEMENT ACT

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DRINKING WATER MANAGEMENT ACT — 법갈피

Article 5(Quality control of drinking water) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall develop policies necessary for controlling the quality of drinking water, spring water and saline groundwater, such as determining and disseminating quality standards for drinking water, spring water and saline groundwater. <Amended on Mar. 22, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, a Metropolitan City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Do Governor, or a Special Self-Governing Province Governor (hereinafter referred to as "Mayor/Do Governor") shall conduct the quality tests of drinking water, spring water and saline groundwater. <Amended on Mar. 21, 2008; Jun. 1, 2012; Mar. 22, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) The standards for, and the frequency of, quality tests of drinking water, spring water and saline groundwater shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 22, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) To establish the quality standards for drinking water, etc. under paragraph (3), the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may designate items requiring monitoring, such as substances likely to be harmful that are contained in drinking water, spring water and saline groundwater, as water quality monitoring items for drinking water, spring water and saline groundwater. In such cases, details regarding subject matters of and procedures for designating water quality monitoring items for drinking water, spring water and saline groundwater, monitoring criteria by each item, test cycles, etc. shall be prescribed and publicly notified by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Added on Dec. 24, 2018; Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) If deemed necessary to improve the quality of drinking water, spring water and saline groundwater, the Special Metropolitan City, a Metropolitan City, a Special Self-Governing City, a Do, or a Special Self-Governing Province (hereinafter referred to as "City/Do") may establish, by its municipal ordinance, tighter provisions governing the standards for, and the frequency of, quality tests of drinking water under paragraph (3). <Added on Mar. 22, 2010; Jun. 1, 2012; Mar. 22, 2013; Dec. 24, 2018>

(6) Where the standards for, and the frequency of, quality tests of drinking water are established or altered pursuant to paragraph (5), the relevant Mayor/Do Governor shall report such fact to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment without delay, and shall take measures necessary to enable the interested persons to be aware of such fact, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Added on Mar. 22, 2010; Dec. 24, 2018; Oct. 1, 2025>

[Title Amended on Mar. 22, 2013]

Article 8(Management of public drinking water facilities) #

(1) A Special Self-Governing City Mayor, a Special Self-Governing Province Governor or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu (the head of a Gu means the head of an autonomous Gu; hereinafter referred to as "head of a Si/Gun/Gu") in which public drinking water facilities are located shall take measures necessary for properly managing the public drinking water facilities in order to supply good quality drinking water to citizens, including improving such facilities, conducting periodic inspections of the water quality of such facilities, and prohibiting the use of, or closing such facilities if they are found unsuitable as public drinking water facilities as a result of inspections of the water quality, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 22, 2010; Jun. 1, 2012; Mar. 22, 2013; Jan. 21, 2014; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) No person shall degrade the water quality of public drinking water facilities or cause damage to such facilities.

(3) Public drinking water facilities to be managed, the management methods thereof and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) If deemed necessary for improving the water quality of public drinking water facilities, a Special Self-Governing City, a Special Self-Governing Province, and a Si/Gun/Gu may establish, by its municipal ordinance, tighter provisions governing the public drinking water facilities to be managed, the management methods and other necessary matters prescribed under paragraph (3). <Added on Mar. 22, 2010; Jun. 1, 2012>

(5) Where the public drinking water facilities to be managed, the management methods, and other necessary matters prescribed or altered pursuant to paragraph (4), the head of a Si/Gun/Gu shall report such fact to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment without delay, and take measures necessary to enable the interested persons to be aware of such fact, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Added on Mar. 22, 2010; Oct. 1, 2025>

(6) The head of a Si/Gun/Gu shall report, to the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, the results of inspections of the water quality of public drinking water facilities conducted under paragraph (1), as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Added on Jan. 21, 2014; Oct. 1, 2025>

(7) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may require the head of a Si/Gun/Gu to take measures necessary for periodic inspections, prohibition of the use of, closure, and improvement of the public drinking water facilities under paragraph (1). <Added on Jan. 21, 2014; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 8-2(Installation and management of cold and hot water dispensers or water purifiers) #

(1) A person in charge of installation and management of cold and hot water dispensers or water purifiers shall file a report with the head of a Si/Gun/Gu on where and how many cold and hot water dispensers or water purifiers are installed and other relevant information, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. The same shall apply to alterations to important matters specified by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment in the report. <Amended on Mar. 22, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) The head of a Si/Gun/Gu shall notify a person who has filed a report or a report on alterations under paragraph (1) as to whether or not to accept such report, within seven days from the date of the receipt thereof. <Added on Jan. 5, 2021>

(3) Where a Mayor/Do Governor fails to notify a person who has filed a report as to whether or not to accept it or the extension of the processing period pursuant to the statutes or regulations related to the processing of civil petitions, within the period prescribed in paragraph (2), the report shall be deemed accepted on the following day after the end of such period (referring to the relevant processing period where the processing period under the statutes or regulations related to the processing of civil petitions is extended or re-extended). <Added on Jan. 5, 2021>

(4) No person in charge of installation and management of cold and hot water dispensers or water purifiers shall install them at places where drinking water is vulnerable to contamination. <Amended on Mar. 22, 2013; Jan. 5, 2021>

(5) A person in charge of installation and management of cold and hot water dispensers or water purifiers shall manage them hygienically by periodic cleaning, disinfection, etc. <Amended on Mar. 22, 2013; Jan. 5, 2021>

(6) Specific standards for places in which the installation of cold and hot water dispensers or water purifiers is prohibited under paragraph (4) and the methods of managing cold and hot water dispensers or water purifiers under paragraph (5) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 22, 2013; Jan. 5, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Mar. 22, 2010]

[Title Amended on Mar. 22, 2013]

Article 10(Temporary permission to develop spring water, etc.) #

(1) Before a Mayor/Do Governor grants permission to develop spring water, etc. in accordance with Article 9, he or she may grant temporary permission to a person who intends to develop spring water, etc. subject to an environmental impact survey provided for in Article 13(1) on condition that he or she conduct an environmental impact survey and submit a document thereon (hereinafter referred to as "survey document") by the deadline prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 22, 2010; Jan. 5, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Where a person who has obtained temporary permission pursuant to paragraph (1) fails to submit a survey document by the prescribed deadline without just causes, the relevant Mayor/Do Governor shall revoke such temporary permission. <Amended on Jan. 5, 2021>

(3) Where a person who has obtained temporary permission to develop spring water, etc. pursuant to paragraph (1) intends to alter matters prescribed by Presidential Decree among the temporarily permitted matters, he or she shall file a report thereon with the relevant Mayor/Do Governor within one month from the date the cause has occurred. <Added on Mar. 22, 2010; Jan. 5, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) A Mayor/Do Governor shall notify a person who has filed a report on alterations under paragraph (3) as to whether or not to accept such report, within seven days from the date of the receipt thereof. <Added on Jan. 5, 2021>

(5) Where a Mayor/Do Governor fails to notify a person who has filed a report as to whether or not to accept it or the extension of the processing period pursuant to the statutes or regulations related to the processing of civil petitions, within the period prescribed in paragraph (4), the report on alterations shall be deemed accepted on the following day after the end of such period (referring to the relevant processing period where the processing period under the statutes or regulations related to the processing of civil petitions is extended or re-extended). <Added on Jan. 5, 2021>

[Title Amended on Mar. 22, 2010]

[Title Amended on Jan. 5, 2021]

Article 17(Revocation of registration of survey agents) #

(1) Where any of the following applies to a survey agent, the relevant Mayor/Do Governor may revoke his or her registration or issue an order to suspend his or her business for a specified period of up to six months; provided, where subparagraph 1, 2 or 9 applies to him or her, the Mayor/Do Governor must revoke his or her registration: <Amended on Mar. 21, 2008; Mar. 22, 2010; Jan. 21, 2014>

1. Where he or she falls under any subparagraph of Article 16; provided, this shall not apply where any executive of a corporation who falls under subparagraph 6 of Article 16 is replaced within three months;

2. Where he or she obtains registration by fraud or other improper means;

3. Where he or she fails to preserve a survey document or data, based on which the survey document is prepared, in violation of Article 14-2(1);

3-2. Where he or she prepares a survey document reproducing the content of other survey document, in violation of Article 14-2(2)1;

3-3. Where he or she prepares a false survey document and data, based on which the survey document is prepared, or prepares an incomplete survey document, in violation of Article 14-2(2)2;

3-4. Where he or she lends his or her certificate of registration or name, or subcontracts in a turnkey basis environmental impact surveys with which he or she has been entrusted, to any third person, in violation of Article 14-2(2)3;

3-5. Where he or she fails to undergo an accuracy inspection of his or her measuring instrument, in violation of Article 14-2(2)4;

4. Where he or she fails to meet the requirements of registration prescribed in Article 15;

5. Where he or she is subject to the disposition of the suspension of business on at least two occasions a year;

6. Where he or she unconscientiously conducts environmental impact surveys as an agent, such as failure to conduct a required field survey, intentionally or by gross negligence;

7. Where he or she fails to commence environmental impact surveys as an agent within five years after completing registration as an agent or he or she has no record of conducting an environment impact survey for at least five consecutive years;

8. Where he or she engages in agency business without registering any alteration to an important matter required under the latter part of Article 15;

9. Where he or she conducts environmental impact surveys as an agent in the period during which his or her business is suspended.

(2) Standards for administrative dispositions prescribed in paragraph (1) and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 21(Permission for business) #

(1) Any person who intends to engage in manufacturing business of drinking spring water, etc. shall obtain permission from the relevant Mayor/Do Governor, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. The same shall apply to any alteration to an important matter prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 22, 2010; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Any person who intends to engage in manufacturing business of water treatment chemicals shall file for registration with the relevant Mayor/Do Governor, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. The same shall apply to any alteration to an important matter prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Any person who intends to engage in import-sale business of drinking spring water, etc. shall file for registration with the relevant Mayor/Do Governor, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. The same shall apply to any alteration to an important matter prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 22, 2010; Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) A Mayor/Do Governor shall notify a person who has filed an application for registration or registration of alterations under paragraph (3) as to whether or not to grant registration or registration of alterations within seven days from the date of the receipt of such application. <Added on Jan. 5, 2021>

(5) Where a Mayor/Do Governor fails to notify an applicant as to whether or not to grant registration or the extension of the processing period pursuant to the statutes or regulations related to the processing of civil petitions, within the period prescribed in paragraph (4), the registration or registration of alterations shall be deemed granted on the following day after the end of such period (referring to the relevant processing period where the processing period under the statutes or regulations related to the processing of civil petitions is extended or re-extended). <Added on Jan. 5, 2021>

(6) Any person who intends to engage in distribution-sale business of drinking spring water, etc. shall file a report thereon with the relevant Mayor/Do Governor, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. The same shall also apply to any alteration to an important matter prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Added on Mar. 22, 2010; Jan. 5, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

(7) Any person who intends to engage in manufacturing business or import-sale business of water purifiers shall file a report thereon with the relevant Mayor/Do Governor, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment upon undergoing an inspection by an institution designated by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment pursuant to Article 43(1). The same shall apply to any alteration to an important matter prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 22, 2010; Jan. 5, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

(8) A Mayor/Do Governor shall notify a person who has filed a report or a report on alterations under paragraph (6) or (7) as to whether or not to accept such report within seven days from the date of the receipt thereof. <Added on Jan. 5, 2021>

(9) Where a Mayor/Do Governor fails to notify a person who has filed a report as to whether or not to accept it or the extension of the processing period pursuant to the statutes or regulations related to the processing of civil petitions, within the period prescribed in paragraph (8), the report or report on alterations shall be deemed accepted on the following day after the end of such period (referring to the relevant processing period where the processing period under the statutes or regulations related to the processing of civil petitions is extended or re-extended). <Added on Jan. 5, 2021>

(10) In granting permission under paragraph (1), the relevant Mayor/Do Governor may impose a condition, such as restricting the volume of daily water intake based on the findings from the technical review of a survey document conducted under Article 18. <Amended on Mar. 22, 2010; Jan. 5, 2021>

(11) Where any person who has obtained permission for business operation or has completed registration or filed a report under paragraphs (1) through (9) intends to suspend, resume or discontinue his or her business operation, or alter minor matters among the permitted, registered or reported matters, he or she shall report thereon to the relevant Mayor/Do Governor, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 22, 2010; Jan. 5, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 26(Import reports,) #

(1) Any person who intends to import drinking spring water, etc., water treatment chemicals or their containers shall file a report with the relevant Mayor/Do Governor, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 22, 2010; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) A Mayor/Do Governor shall notify a person who has filed a report under paragraph (1) as to whether or not to accept such report, within 25 days from the date of the receipt thereof. <Added on Jan. 5, 2021>

(4) Where deemed necessary, a Mayor/Do Governor may require relevant public officials or relevant inspection institutes to inspect drinking spring water, etc., water treatment chemicals, or their containers reported under paragraph (1) before the completion of the customs clearance. In such cases, if a port of entry (referring to a place where the imported products are stored, if they are taken out of a bonded area under the Customs Act; hereafter in this Article, the same shall apply) is located at an area under the jurisdiction of another Mayor/Do Governor, he or she may request a relevant inspection institute in the City/Do where the port of entry is located to conduct such inspections. <Amended on Mar. 22, 2010; Jan. 5, 2021>

(5) A Mayor/Do Governor may refuse inspections referred to in paragraph (4) with respect to an import-sale business operator of drinking spring water, etc. who has failed to pay charges for using groundwater under Article 30-3(1)2 of the Groundwater Act on at least 2 occasions. <Amended on Mar. 22, 2010; Jan. 5, 2021; Dec. 31, 2024>

Article 43(Designation of inspection institutions) #

(1) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may designate institutions to inspect raw materials, products, containers, etc. collected pursuant to Article 42(1)3 and to examine the quality of drinking water pursuant to Article 5(2). Where any designated institution (hereinafter referred to as "inspection institution") intends to alter important matters prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, it shall file a report on alterations with the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment shall notify a person who has filed a report on alterations under the latter part of paragraph (1) as to whether or not to accept such report, within 20 days from the date of the receipt thereof. <Added on Jan. 5, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment fails to notify a person who has filed a report as to whether or not to accept it or the extension of the processing period pursuant to the statutes or regulations related to the processing of civil petitions, within the period prescribed in paragraph (2), the report on alterations shall be deemed accepted on the following day after the end of such period (referring to the relevant processing period where the processing period under the statutes or regulations related to the processing of civil petitions is extended or re-extended). <Added on Jan. 5, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Inspection institutions shall be classified into institutions to examine the quality of drinking water, institutions to inspect water treatment chemicals, institutions to conduct the quality tests of water purifiers, and institutions to conduct the performance tests of water purifiers. <Amended on Jan. 5, 2021>

(5) None of the following persons shall be designated as an inspection institution under paragraph (1): <Added on Mar. 21, 2008; Feb. 3, 2015; Dec. 24, 2018; Jan. 5, 2021>

1. A person who is under adult guardianship or limited guardianship;

2. A person sentenced to imprisonment with labor for a violation of this Act in whose case two years have not elapsed from the date of the termination of execution of such sentence (including where such execution is deemed terminated) or from the date of the exemption from such execution;

3. A person sentenced to suspension of execution of imprisonment with labor for a violation of this Act, who is in the period of suspension of such execution;

4. A person in whose case four years have not elapsed after designation was revoked pursuant to paragraph (8);

5. A corporation or institution, any of whose executives or representatives falls under any of subparagraphs 1 through 4.

(6) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment receives an application for designation as an inspection institution or designates an inspection institution pursuant to paragraph (1), he or she may assess its capability to measure and analyze water quality. <Amended on Mar. 21, 2008; Jan. 5, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

(7) Institutions designated to conduct the quality tests of water purifiers pursuant to paragraph (1) may each establish a deliberative committee on the quality of water purifiers in order to ensure the fair quality tests of water purifiers. <Amended on Mar. 21, 2008; Jan. 5, 2021>

(8) In any of the following cases, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may revoke designation of an inspection institution or take a disposition suspending its business for a specified period of up to six months; provided, in the case of subparagraph 1, 1-2, 2 or 3, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment must revoke the designation of the inspection institution: <Amended on Mar. 21, 2008; Mar. 22, 2010; Jan. 21, 2014; Jan. 5, 2021; Feb. 20, 2024; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Where it is designated by fraud or other improper means;

1-2. Where the inspection institution falls under any subparagraph of paragraph (5); provided, where a corporation or institution replaces its executive or representative falling under paragraph (5)1 through 4 with a newly appointed executive or representative within three months, such designation shall not be revoked;

2. Where the inspection institution issues false inspection reports or makes false records of the inspection results under paragraph (12) intentionally or by gross negligence, while conducting inspections under this Act or other statutes (limited to statutes stipulating that inspections shall be conducted by inspection institutions designated under Article 43);

3. Where the inspection institution conducts inspections and tests as an agent in the period during which its business is suspended;

4. Where the inspection institution fails to commence inspections and tests as an agent within one year after designation and has no record of conducting inspections and tests for at least one year;

5. Where it fails to file a report on alterations under paragraph (1);

6. Where the inspection institution fails to meet the assessment standards set under paragraph (9) as a result of the assessment conducted under paragraph (6);

7. Where the inspection institution fails to meet the standards for technical human resources and facilities under paragraph (9);

8. Where the inspection institution fails to meet any of the requirements determined under paragraph (12).

9. Where the inspection institution re-entrusts an inspection or is re-entrusted with it, in violation of paragraph (14).

(9) The standards for technical human resources and facilities required to be designated as an inspection institution pursuant to paragraphs (1) through (6), filing applications for designation as an inspection institution, the designation of an inspection institution, the assessment standards, and other relevant matters, shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 21, 2008; Jan. 5, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

(10) The functions of the institutions charged with the quality tests of water purifiers under paragraph (7) and the organization, members’ terms of office, functions of the deliberative committee on the quality of water purifiers, and other necessary matters, shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 21, 2008; Jan. 5, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

(11) Detailed standards for the administrative dispositions taken under paragraph (8) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Amended on Mar. 21, 2008; Jan. 5, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

(12) Inspection institutions shall meet the requirements determined by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, such as the methods of testing water quality and the recording and keeping of inspection results. <Added on Mar. 22, 2010; Jan. 5, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

(13) Technical human resources in charge of inspections shall undergo training conducted by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. In such cases, the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment may collect expenses for such training from employers of trainees. <Added on Mar. 22, 2010; Jan. 5, 2021; Oct. 1, 2025>

(14) Where an inspection institution conducts an inspection, it must neither re-entrust the inspection nor be re-entrusted with it. <Added on Feb. 20, 2024>

Article 47(Measures for destruction) #

(1) A Mayor/Do Governor may require a relevant public official to seize or destroy drinking spring water, etc., water treatment chemicals or water purifiers, and their containers or packaging manufactured or imported in violation of Article 36(3) or 40(1), or may order the relevant business operators, etc. to take necessary measures upon specifying disposal methods, etc. <Amended on Mar. 22, 2010>

(2) In any of the following cases, a Mayor/Do Governor may require a relevant public official to seize or destroy the relevant product: <Amended on Mar. 22, 2010; Mar. 22, 2013; Jan. 5, 2021>

1. Drinking spring water, etc., water treatment chemicals, water purifiers, or their containers or packaging, etc. manufactured, imported, distributed and sold without permission, registration, or reporting under Article 21(1) through (3), (6), (7) or 26;

2. Deleted; <Jan. 21, 2014>

(3) A public official who seizes or destroys the relevant product under paragraph (1) or (2) shall carry a certificate indicating his or her authority and produce it to relevant persons.

(4) Where the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment finds that drinking spring water, etc., water treatment chemicals or water purifiers and their containers or packaging have violated Article 36(3) or 40(1), he or she may require the relevant Mayor/Do Governor to take necessary measures, such as seizure and destruction. <Added on Jan. 21, 2014; Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) The Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment or a Mayor/Do Governor shall order a drinking water-related business operator to recall or destroy the drinking spring water, etc., water treatment chemicals, water purifiers, their containers or packaging, etc. being distributed, if they fail to meet the standards prescribed by Presidential Decree and therefore have caused or are likely to cause harm to public health. <Added on Mar. 22, 2010; Jan. 21, 2014; Oct. 1, 2025>

(6) Procedures for recall and destruction under paragraph (5) and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. <Added on Mar. 22, 2010; Jan. 21, 2014; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 48(Revocation of permission) #

(1) When any of the following applies to a drinking water-related business operator, the relevant Mayor/Do Governor may revoke his or her business permission or registration or issue an order to close his or her place of business or to fully or partially suspend his or her business for a specified period of up to six months; provided, where subparagraph 4 or 8 applies to him or her, the relevant Mayor/Do Governor must revoke his or her business permission or registration or order the closure of his or her place of business: <Amended on Mar. 21, 2008; Mar. 22, 2010; Mar. 22, 2013; Jan. 21, 2014; Jan. 5, 2021; Dec. 31, 2024>

1. When he or she violates any of subparagraphs 1 through 3 of Article 19;

2. Deleted; <Jan. 21, 2014>

3. When he or she fails to meet the standards for facilities determined under Article 20;

4. When he or she obtains permission or permission for alterations provided for in Article 21(1) or files for registration or registration of alterations or files a report or a report on alterations provided for in paragraphs (2),(3),(6) and (7) of that Article by fraud or other improper means;

5. When he or she violates the latter part of Article 21(1), the latter part of paragraph (2) of that Article, the latter part of paragraph (3) of that Article, the latter part of paragraph (6) of that Article, the latter part of paragraph (7) of that Article, Article 27(1) or (3), 29 (2), 30, 40 (1), or 41 (1) or Article 30-3(4) of the Groundwater Act;

6. Where he or she violates the conditions under Article 21(10);

6-2. When he or she fails to properly install, operate or manage automatic measuring instruments, in violation of Article 22(1);

7. When he or she fails to submit the results of measurement under Article 22(2) or submits the false results of measurement;

8. When he or she falls under any of subparagraphs 1 through 3 of Article 24; provided, the same shall not apply in any of the following cases:

a. When a corporation replaces an executive falling under any of subparagraphs 1 through 3 of Article 24 with a new executive within two months from the date on which he or she is found to fall under any of such subparagraphs;

b. When anyone who succeeds to the status of a business operator pursuant to Article 25(1) transfers the relevant business within three months from the date on which the succession commences;

8-2. Deleted; <Jan. 21, 2014>

9. When he or she violates any prohibition or restriction provided for in Article 39(1) or an order or measure issued under Article 39(2);

10. When he or she interferes with, refuses or evades any reporting, entry, inspection, collection or perusal provided for in Article 42;

11. When he or she fails to meet the quality standards for drinking water determined under Article 5(3) or violates Article 36(3) or 37(2) as a result of an inspection conducted under Article 42(1);

12. When he or she violates an order issued under Article 45,47(1) and (5), or 47-2(1).

(2) Where a drinking water-related business operator continues to operate his or her business in violation of an order of business suspension issued under paragraph (1), the relevant Mayor/Do Governor may revoke permission for, or registration of, such business or order the closure of his or her place of business. <Amended on Mar. 22, 2013>

(3) Where a drinking water-related business operator suspends his or her business operation for at least six consecutive months without any just cause, the relevant Mayor/Do Governor may revoke permission for, or registration of, such business or order the closure of his or her place of business.

(4) Detailed standards for the administrative dispositions to be taken under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment in consideration of the kinds, severity, etc. of violations. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 58(Penalty provisions) #

Any of the following persons shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than three years, or by a fine not exceeding thirty million won. In such cases, imprisonment with labor and a fine may be imposed concurrently: <Amended on Mar. 21, 2008; Mar. 22, 2010; Jun. 1, 2012; Mar. 22, 2013; Jan. 21, 2014; Jan. 5, 2021; Feb. 20, 2024>

1. A person who violates Article 8(2);

1-2. A person who violates Article 8-5;

2. A person who violates subparagraph 3 of Article 19;

3. A person who manufactures water treatment chemicals without obtaining registration under Article 21(2) or who obtains such registration by fraud or other improper means;

4. A person who imports and sells drinking spring water, etc. without obtaining registration under Article 21(3) or who obtains registration by fraud or other improper means;

4-2. A person who distributes and sells drinking spring water, etc. without filing a report under Article 21(6) or who files a report by fraud or other improper means;

5. A person who manufactures, or imports and sells, water purifiers without filing a report referred to in Article 21(7) or files a report by fraud or other improper means;

6. A person who imports drinking spring water, etc. or its containers without filing a report under Article 26(1) or by filing a false report;

7. A person who sells drinking spring water, etc. or its containers or manufactures, imports, stores, transports, or displays them for sale, or uses them for other business purposes, in violation of Article 36(3);

7-2. A person who obtains designation as an inspection institution under Article 43(1) by fraud or other improper means;

7-3. A person who issues false inspection reports or makes false records of the inspection results intentionally while conducting inspections under this Act or other statutes at an inspection institution designated under Article 43(1);

7-4. A person who conducts an inspection in the period during which his or her business is suspended under Article 43(8);

8. A person who fails to comply with an order issued under Article 45(1), 47(1) and (4), or 47-2(1);

9. A person who manufactures, or import and sells, drinking spring water, etc., in violation of an order of business suspension issued under Article 48(1).

Article 59(Penalty provisions) #

Any of the following persons shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than one year, or by a fine not exceeding 10 million won: <Amended on Mar. 21, 2008; Mar. 22, 2010; Jun. 1, 2012; Mar. 22, 2013; Jan. 21, 2014; Dec. 24, 2018; Jan. 5, 2021; Feb. 20, 2024>

1. A person who develops spring water, etc. without obtaining permission or altered permission under Article 9 or develops it upon obtaining permission or altered permission by fraud or other improper means;

2. A person who fails to meet any of the conditions imposed under Article 11(2) or 21(10);

3. A person who prepares a false survey document under Article 13(1);

3-2. A person who prepares a survey document reproducing other survey document without permission, in violation of Article 14-2(2)1;

3-3. A person who prepares a false survey document, in violation of Article 14-2(2)2;

3-4. A person who lends his or her certificate of registration or name, or subcontracts his or her business, in a turnkey basis, to any third person in violation of Article 14-2(2)3;

4. A person who conducts environmental impact surveys as an agent without obtaining registration as a survey agent under Article 15;

5. A person who manufactures water treatment chemicals without obtaining altered registration under Article 21(2);

6. A person who imports and sells drinking spring water, etc. without obtaining altered registration pursuant to Article 21(3);

6-2. A person who distributes and sells drinking spring water, etc. without filing a report on alterations under Article 21(6);

7. A person who manufactures, or imports and sells, water purifiers without filing a report on alterations under Article 21(7);

8. A person who imports any water treatment chemical or its container without filing a report under Article 26(1) or upon filing a false report thereon;

9. A person who violates Article 27(1) or (3), or 40(1);

10. A person that violates Article 27(2);

10-2. Deleted; <Dec. 31, 2024>

11. A person who sells water treatment chemicals or their containers, or manufactures, imports, stores, transports or displays them for sale, or uses them for other business purposes, in violation of Article 36(3);

12. A person who sells water purifiers or manufactures, imports, stores, transports, or displays them for sale, or uses them for other business purposes, in violation of Article 36(3);

13. A person who violates prohibitions against or restrictions on advertisements under Article 39(1);

14. A person who fails to perform an order prescribed in Article 39(2);

14-2. A person who supplies or sells drinking spring water, etc., using a product name, such as "water purifier", "spring water" or "natural water", which could be misunderstood as a water purifier, drinking spring water, etc., or other marks, in violation of Article 40-2;

15. A person falling under Article 41(1) who fails to conduct a quality self-inspection;

16. A person who refuses, interferes with, or evades a visit, inspection, or collection referred to in Article 42;

16-2. A person who issues false inspection reports or makes false records of the inspection results by gross negligence while conducting inspections under this Act or other statutes at an inspection institution designated under Article 43(1);

17. A person who refuses, interferes with or evades the closure, seizure or destruction under Article 46 or 47(2);

18. A person who manufactures water treatment chemicals business, in violation of an order for suspension of business issued under Article 48(1);

18-2. A person who distributes and sells drinking spring water, etc., in violation of an order for suspension of business issued under Article 48(1);

19. A person who manufactures, or imports and sells, water purifiers, in violation of an order for suspension of business issued under Article 48(1).

Article 61(Administrative fines) #

(1) Any of the following persons shall be punished by an administrative fine not exceeding three million won: <Amended on Jan. 21, 2014>

1. A person who prepares an incomplete survey document, in violation of Article 14-2(2)2;

2. A person who fails to open or operate the consumer protection center under Article 44.

(2) Any of the following persons shall be punished by an administrative fine not exceeding one million won: <Amended on Mar. 22, 2010; Mar. 22, 2013; Jan. 21, 2014; Jan. 5, 2021>

1. A person who fails to file a report or report on alterations under Article 8-2(1) or 10(3) or who files such report by fraud or other improper means;

2. A person who installs or manages a cold and hot water dispenser or water purifier, in violation of Article 8-2(4) or (5);

2-2. A person who fails to preserve a survey document and data, based on which the survey document is prepared, in violation of Article 14-2(1);

3. A person who fails to file a report under Article 21(11) or who alters any permitted, registered or reported matters by filing a false report;

4. A person who fails to file a report, in violation of Article 25(3) or who files a false report;

5. A person who violates Article 28(1) or 29(1);

6. A person who fails to keep a record under Article 41(1) or who files a false record;

7. A person who fails to files a report under Article 42(1) or who makes a false representation in such report;

8. A person who fails to meet the requirements under Article 43(12);

9. A person who fails to undergo training conducted under Article 43(13) without just causes;

10. A person who fails to perform an order prescribed in Article 45(2).

(3) Administrative fines prescribed in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be imposed and collected by the Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, a Mayor/Do Governor or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Mar. 22, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Deleted. <Mar. 22, 2010>

(5) Deleted. <Mar. 22, 2010>

(6) Deleted. <Mar. 22, 2010>

DRINKING WATER MANAGEMENT ACT

Article 1(Purpose) #

Article 2(Responsibilities) #

Article 3(Definitions) #

Article 4(Scope of application) #

Article 5(Quality control of drinking water) #

Article 6(Methods of officially determined quality test for drinking water) #

Article 7(Drinking water quality supervisors) #

Article 8(Management of public drinking water facilities) #

Article 8-2(Installation and management of cold and hot water dispensers or water purifiers) #

Article 8-3(Designation of spring water preservation areas) #

Article 8-4(Hearing opinions of residents) #

Article 8-5(Activities prohibited in spring water preservation areas) #

Article 9(Permission to develop spring water or saline groundwater) #

Article 10(Temporary permission to develop spring water, etc.) #

Article 11(Restrictions, etc. on permission to develop spring water, etc.) #

Article 12(Term of validity of permission to develop spring water, etc.) #

Article 12-2(Revocation of permission to develop spring water, etc.) #

Article 13(Environmental impact surveys) #

Article 14(Environmental impact surveys by agents) #

Article 14-2(Matters to be observed in relation to environmental impact surveys) #

Article 15(Registration of environmental impact survey agents) #

Article 16(Grounds for disqualification) #

Article 17(Revocation of registration of survey agents) #

Article 18(Environmental impact examination) #

Article 19(Prohibition from sales) #

Article 20(Standards for facilities) #

Article 21(Permission for business) #

Article 22(Management of level, volume and quality of spring Water, etc.) #

Article 23(Conditional permission for business operation) #

Article 24(Limitations on permission for business operation) #

Article 25(Succession of business) #

Article 26(Import reports,) #

Article 27(Quality controllers) #

Article 28(Quality control training) #

Article 29(Medical examinations) #

Article 30(Matters to be observed) #

Article 31 #

Article 31-2 #

Article 32 #

Article 33 #

Article 34 #

Article 35 #

Article 36(Standards and specifications) #

Article 37(Standards for indication) #

Article 38(Standards, specifications, and indication standards for products for export) #

Article 39(Restrictions on advertisement) #

Article 40(Prohibition against false or exaggerated indications and advertisements) #

Article 40-2(Prohibition from using similar marks) #

Article 41(Duty of quality self-inspections) #

Article 41-2(Quality test of drinking spring water being distributed) #

Article 42(Visit, inspections, and collection) #

Article 43(Designation of inspection institutions) #

Article 43-2(Suspension of qualifications of technical personnel in inspection institutions) #

Article 44(Consumer protection) #

Article 45(Guidance and orders for improvement) #

Article 46(Measures for closure) #

Article 47(Measures for destruction) #

Article 47-2(Orders for publication) #

Article 47-3(Recall of drinking spring water. etc.) #

Article 48(Revocation of permission) #

Article 48-2(Orders to take measures, including disposition of business suspension) #

Article 49(Succession to effects of administrative dispositions) #

Article 50(Hearings) #

Article 51(Imposition of penalty surcharges) #

Article 51-2(Publication of violations) #

Article 52(Subsidies from national treasury) #

Article 53(Relationship to other statutes) #

Article 54(Request for data) #

Article 55(Delegation and entrustment) #

Article 56(Fees) #

Article 57(Penalty provisions) #

Article 58(Penalty provisions) #

Article 59(Penalty provisions) #

Article 60(Joint penalty provisions) #

Article 61(Administrative fines) #