ENFORCEMENT DECREE OF THE URBAN GAS BUSINESS ACT

Article 1(Purpose) #

The purpose of this Decree is to prescribe matters mandated by the Urban Gas Business Act and those necessary for enforcing that Act.

Article 1-2(Types of urban gas) #

Urban gas defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Urban Gas Business Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Act") shall be as follows: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 21, 2014; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Natural gas (including liquefied gas; hereinafter the same shall apply): Gas mainly composed of methane as a flammable gas naturally produced underground;

2. Gas which does not affect the performance and safety of gas supply facilities and gas-using facilities even after certain amount of which is mixed with, or replaced by, natural gas, and which is supplied by pipelines among the gases specified in the following items, meeting the quality standards determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources:

(a) Petroleum gas: Gas manufactured by mixing air with the liquefied petroleum gas defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Safety Control and Business of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Act or with the petroleum gas specified in subparagraph 2 (b) of Article 2 of the Petroleum and Alternative Fuel Business Act;

(b) Byproduct gas from naphtha: Gas manufactured by mixing gas, mainly composed of methane, with another type of urban gas, which is a by-product from the manufacture of ethylene, propylene, and others through the naphtha cracking process;

(c) Biogas: Gas manufactured by mixing gas, mainly composed of methane, with another type of urban gas, which is a product of refining gas generated from biomass, such as organic waste;

(d) Synthetic natural gas: Gas manufactured by mixing gas, mainly composed of methane, with another type of urban gas, which is produced through a high-temperature and high-pressure gas process using coal as a main raw material;

(e) Other types of gas whose main ingredient is methane, which is deemed necessary to be supplied to ensure stability in the supply of and demand for urban gas and to improve efficiency in energy use and thus prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.

[This Article Added on Sep. 21, 2009]

Article 1-3(Criteria for calculation of shares or stakes) #

"Person who owns a majority of shares or stakes" in subparagraph 4-4 of Article 2 and the former part of Article 8-2 of the Act means a person who holds a majority of voting shares or stakes.

[This Article Added on Jul. 21, 2014]

[Previous Article 1-3 moved to Article 1-4 <Jul. 21, 2014>]

Article 1-4(Purposes of natural gas imported for own consumption) #

"Purposes prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as electricity generation or industrial use" in subparagraph 9 of Article 2 of the Act means: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Use in electricity generation: Producing electric power;

2. Industrial use: Using it as raw materials or fuel (including fuel necessary for operating auxiliary manufacturing facilities) for the manufacturing process prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources;

3. Use in co-generation: Producing both electricity and heat;

4. Use in equipment only for heat: Producing heat only.

[This Article Added on Feb. 11, 2014]

[Moved from Article 1-3 <Jul. 21, 2014>]

Article 1-5(Disposal of synthetic natural gas) #

(1) "Reasons prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 8-3 (3) of the Act means any of the following cases: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Where a synthetic natural gas producer has manufactured synthetic natural gas, but it is impracticable for him or her to consume the same due to a failure, damage, etc. in gas pipeline facilities or gas-using facilities;

2. Where it is deemed by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources to be necessary for efficiently operating gas manufacturing facilities, gas pipeline facilities, or gas-using facilities of a synthetic natural gas producer.

(2) Where a synthetic natural gas producer disposes of synthetic natural gas under Article 8-3 (3) of the Act, he or she shall do so by any of the following methods: <Amended on Feb. 8, 2022>

1. Exchange with a gas wholesale dealer;

2. Exchange with a direct importer for his or her own consumption;

3. Exchange with another synthetic natural gas producer;

4. Exchange with a natural gas business entity for ships.

(3) Where a synthetic natural gas producer has disposed of synthetic natural gas under Article 8-3 (3) of the Act, he or she shall report it to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources within seven days from the date of such disposal. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Jul. 21, 2014]

Article 2(Matters subject to registration of modification of natural gas export and import business) #

"Important matters prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the latter part of Article 10-2 (1) of the Act means the following matters: <Amended on Sep. 21, 2009>

1. Name and trade name;

2. The representative (applicable only to a corporation);

3. The location of the principal place of business;

4. The location and scale of the natural gas storage facilities (excluding cases where the scale thereof increases or decreases by less than 20/100 compared to the combined scale of all natural gas storage facilities registered).

Article 3(Requirements for registration of natural gas export and import business) #

(1) Requirements for the registration of natural gas export and import business, such as facility standards, under Article 10-2 (2) of the Act shall be as follows: <Amended on Jul. 30, 2013; Aug. 5, 2020>

1. An urban gas business entity shall be equipped with storage facilities capable of storing the equivalent of 30 days’ worth of the planned amount of domestic sales of natural gas for the year in which the business commences;

2. A direct importer for his or her own consumption shall be equipped with storage facilities capable of storing the equivalent of 30 days’ worth of the planned amount of natural gas for self consumption for the year in which the business commences;

3. A natural gas business entity for ships shall be equipped with storage facilities capable of storing the equivalent of 30 days’ worth of the planned amount of natural gas sales for the year in which the business commences.

(2) A person that has their liquefied petroleum gas export or import business registered under Article 10-2 (1) of the Act shall be equipped with the following storage facilities from the year following the year in which the business commences: <Amended on Jul. 30, 2013; Aug. 5, 2020>

(3) The storage facilities referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) mean liquefied natural gas storage tanks owned, or leased for exclusive use, by a person who intends to file or has filed for registration for the natural gas export and import business. In this case, the storage facilities may be used jointly by several users, but the total capacity of which shall exceed the combined use by all users.

Article 3-2(Matters subject to reporting on modification of natural gas shipping business) #

(1) "Important matters prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as the scale of natural gas storage facilities" in the latter part of Article 10-2 (3) of the Act means the following:

1. Name and trade name;

2. The representative (applicable only to a corporation);

3. The location of the main office;

4. The scale of natural gas storage facilities (excluding cases where the scale of natural gas storage facilities, for which a report is filed, is modified by up to 30/100 of the total scale).

(2) "Natural gas storage facilities" in paragraph (1) 4 means a liquefied natural gas storage tank owned, or leased for exclusive use, by a person who has filed a report on natural gas shipping business.

[This Article Added on Jul. 21, 2014]

Article 4 #

Deleted. <Jun. 30, 2015>

Article 5(Contract subject to reporting on importation of natural gas) #

"Contract prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the former part of Article 10-5 (2) of the Act means a contract on the import of natural gas of up to 60,000 tons and a contract for the transportation thereof.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 30, 2015]

Article 6(Disposal of natural gas directly imported for self-consumption) #

(1) "Other reasons prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the main clause of Article 10-6 (1) of the Act means any of the following cases: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Where the self-consumption of natural gas imported by a direct importer for his or her own consumption has become virtually impracticable due to a failure, damage, etc. in gas manufacturing facilities, gas pipeline facilities, and gas-using facilities of such importer;

2. Where it becomes impossible for a direct importer for his or her own consumption to conduct his or her business in a normal condition due to permanent business closure, bankruptcy, or any other event;

3. Where it is deemed necessary by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources for efficiently operating gas manufacturing facilities, gas pipeline facilities, and gas-using facilities of such importer.

(2) Where a direct importer for his or her own consumption disposes of natural gas under the proviso of Article 10-6 (1) of the Act, it shall be disposed of by any of the following methods: <Amended on Jul. 21, 2014; Feb. 8, 2022>

1. Sale to a gas wholesale dealer;

2. Exchange with a gas wholesale dealer;

3. Exchange with another direct importer for his or her own consumption;

4. Exchange with a synthetic natural gas producer.

5. Exchange with a natural gas business operator for ships.

(3) Where a direct importer for his or her own consumption disposes of natural gas under paragraph (2), he or she shall report it to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources within seven days from the date of such disposal. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) In cases of sales referred to in paragraph (2) 1, a gas wholesale dealer shall determine the terms and conditions of purchase in advance and report thereon to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources. The same shall also apply where any modification is made to the terms and conditions of purchase already reported. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 6-2(Disposal of evaporating gas) #

(1) Where a natural gas shipping business entity disposes of evaporating gas generated in the process of operating gas supply facilities under the proviso of Article 10-6 (3) of the Act, he or she shall dispose of them by any of the following methods:

1. Sale to a direct importer for his or her own consumption;

2. Exchange with a direct importer for his or her own consumption.

(2) "Evaporating gas generated in the process of operating gas supply facilities"in paragraph (1) means gas mainly composed of methane generated from naturally vaporized liquefied natural gas in a storage tank for liquefied natural gas.

(3) Where a natural gas shipping business entity disposes of evaporating gas under paragraph (1), he or she shall report thereon to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources within seven days from the date of such disposal. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Jul. 21, 2014]

Article 6-3(Obligatory natural gas reserves) #

(1) The amount of natural gas that a gas wholesale dealer is required to store under Article 10-10 (1) of the Act shall be determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources, which shall not exceed 30 days’ worth of daily average domestic sales during the months of the winter season or summer season, out of the recent 24 months from the month two months preceding the relevant month (hereinafter referred to as "obligatory natural gas reserves"). <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) The winter or summer season referred to in paragraph (1) shall be defined as follows:

1. Winter season: From October to March of the following year;

2. Summer season: From April to September.

(3) The Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources may adjust the obligatory natural gas reserves and give public notice thereof, in any of the following cases: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Where the business conditions of a gas wholesale dealer have significantly deteriorated due to dramatic shifts in domestic and overseas economic environments, such as worsening international natural gas market conditions, foreign currency conditions, etc.;

2. Where the business assets (including leased assets) of a gas wholesale dealer have suffered a considerable loss due to a force majeure event, fire, or any other disaster;

3. Where an impediment to the stabilization of domestic natural gas prices is likely;

4. Where a rapid increase in obligatory natural gas reserves leads to excessive financial burden on a gas wholesale dealer.

[This Article Added on Aug. 11, 2016]

Article 6-4(Methods for fulfilling obligations to stockpile natural gas) #

(1) A gas wholesale dealer shall ensure that a daily average natural gas stockpiled for the relevant month is in compliance with the obligatory natural gas reserves so that he or she can fulfill obligations to stockpile natural gas under Article 10-10 (1) of the Act.

(2) The inventory of natural gas under paragraph (1) shall be calculated by summing up the quantities of natural gas stockpiled in any of the following facilities or ships (including the quantities that have not undergone customs clearance); provided, this does not include the inventory required to be maintained for the stable management of the storage equipment referred to in subparagraph 1, which is practically unavailable for use: <Amended on Aug. 31, 2021>

1. Storage equipment for gas manufacturing facilities;

2. Pipelines owned or used by a gas wholesale dealer;

3. Natural gas transportation vessels being, or waiting to be, loaded or unloaded in a domestic harbor for exclusive use.

(3) A gas wholesale dealer shall report to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources as to whether he or she has fulfilled his or her obligations to store natural gas for the relevant month, by the end of the following month. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Aug. 11, 2016]

Article 6-5(Use of stockpiled natural gas) #

(1) Where a gas wholesale dealer meets the conditions specified in Article 6-3 (3) 2 or 3, he or she may use the natural gas he or she has stored under Article 10-10 (2) of the Act.

(2) Where a gas wholesale dealer uses natural gas stockpiled, he or she shall immediately report thereon to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) A gas wholesale dealer who uses natural gas stockpiled under paragraph (1) shall store natural gas of at least the quantity of the obligatory natural gas reserves by the first day of the month two months after the month in which the stockpiled natural gas is used.

[This Article Added on Aug. 11, 2016]

Article 6-6(Reduction of or exemption from obligations to stockpile natural gas) #

(1) "Requirements prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 10-10 (3) of the Act means a case where natural gas produced in the relevant gas field may be imported within seven days.

(2) Where a gas wholesale dealer intends to be granted reduction of, or exemption from, obligations to stockpile natural gas under Article 10-10 (3) of the Act, he or she shall submit documents containing the following matters to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. A period for exemption from or reduction of obligations to stockpile natural gas, which shall not exceed 7 days;

2. The quantity of natural gas that may be imported within the period under subparagraph 1;

3. Data proving the quantity of natural gas referred to in subparagraph 2.

(3) The Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources may exclude the quantity of natural gas that may be imported within seven days from the obligatory natural gas reserves during the relevant period after verifying the documents submitted under paragraph (2). <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Aug. 11, 2016]

Article 6-7(Matters subject to registration of modification of natural gas business for ships) #

"Important matters prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as the size of facilities for storing natural gas" in the latter part of Article 10-11 (1) of the Act means the following:

1. Name and trade name;

2. The representative (applicable only to a corporation);

3. The location of the main office;

[This Article Added on Aug. 5, 2020]

Article 6-8(Requirements for registration of natural gas business for ships) #

The requirements for registration, such as facility standards for the business of natural gas for ships under Article 10-11 (2) of the Act shall be as follows: <Amended on Dec. 31, 2024>

1. It shall secure any of the following facilities:

(a) Storage tanks;

(b) Tanks fixed to vehicles;

2. It shall have a capital of not less than 100 million won (referring to the paid-in capital in the case of a corporation, and the appraised value of assets for business use if it is not a corporation).

[This Article Added on Aug. 5, 2020]

Article 6-9(Matters subject to registration of modification of natural gas business for ships importing natural gas) #

"Important matters determined by Presidential Decree, such as the size of facilities for storing natural gas" in the latter part of Article 10-11 (3) of the Act means the following:

1. Name and trade name;

2. The representative (applicable only to a corporation);

3. The location of the main office;

[This Article Added on Aug. 5, 2020]

Article 6-10(Transfer of residual natural gas in built ships) #

"Person prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 10-11 (4) of the Act means any of the following persons:

1. A person who builds a ship for the transportation of natural gas;

2. A person who builds a ship that uses natural gas as its fuel.

[This Article Added on Aug. 5, 2020]

Article 6-11(Disposal of evaporating gas) #

(1) Where a natural gas business entity for ships disposes of evaporating gas (referring to gas mainly composed of methane generated from naturally vaporized liquefied natural gas in a storage tank for liquefied natural gas) generated in the course of operating gas supply facilities under the proviso of Article 10-14 (1) of the Act, such gas shall be disposed of by any of the following methods:

1. Sale to a gas wholesale dealer;

2. Exchange with a gas wholesale dealer;

3. Exchange with a direct importer for his or her own consumption;

(2) Where a natural gas business entity for ships has disposed of evaporating gas under paragraph (1), he or she shall report thereon to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources within seven days from the date of such disposal. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Aug. 5, 2020]

Article 6-12(Disposal of natural gas for ships) #

(1) "Any ground prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as where the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources deems that the supply of natural gas is required for the urgent stabilization of supply and demand of natural gas and efficient handling thereof" in Article 10-14 (2) of the Act means any of the following cases: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Where a natural gas business entity for ships becomes unable to conduct business normally due to permanent business closure, bankruptcy, or any other event;

2. Where deemed by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources to be necessary for efficiently operating gas manufacturing facilities, gas pipeline facilities, and gas-using facilities of a natural gas business entity for ships.

(2) Where a natural gas business entity for ships disposes of natural gas under Article 10-14 (2) of the Act, he or she shall do so by any of the following methods: <Amended on Feb. 8, 2022>

1. Sale to a gas wholesale dealer;

2. Exchange with a gas wholesale dealer;

3. Exchange with a direct importer for his or her own consumption;

4. Exchange with a synthetic natural gas producer.

(3) Where a natural gas business entity for ships has disposed of natural gas under paragraph (2), he or she shall report to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources within 7 days from the date of disposal. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) In cases of sales referred to in paragraph (2) 1, a gas wholesale dealer shall determine the terms and conditions of purchase in advance and report thereon to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources. The same shall also apply to any modification to the terms and conditions already reported. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

[This Article Added on Aug. 5, 2020]

Article 7(Temporary use of gas supply facilities) #

Where the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources, 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") may permit the temporary use of gas supply facilities under Article 16 (1) of the Act, he or she shall verify the following: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Mar. 18, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Whether it is possible to supply urban gas;

2. Whether such use is likely to harm the safety of gas supply facilities;

3. Whether the relevant area requires supply of urban gas, considering the status of supply of and demand for urban gas.

Article 8(Persons subject to exemption from regular inspections) #

"Persons prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the proviso of Article 17 (1) of the Act means any of the following persons:

1. A person who is deemed by the Korea Gas Safety Corporation under Article 28 of the High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act (hereinafter referred to as "Korea Gas Safety Corporation") to have no safety concerns even if the person is exempt from all or part of a regular inspection in the year in which such regular inspection is due, given the person’s good performance in regular inspections under Article 17 of the Act (hereafter referred to as "regular inspection" in this Article) and compliance with safety management regulations for the recent two years;

2. A person who has undergone a detailed safety inspection referred to in Article 17-2 (1) of the Act.

Article 9(Approval of detailed standards) #

Where the Gas Technical Standards Committee referred to in Article 33-2 of the High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act has deliberated, and has passed a resolution, on the detailed standards under Article 17-5 (2) of the Act, it shall submit to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources a written application for approval stating the following matters, within 10 days from the date of such deliberation and resolution: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Feb. 11, 2014; Dec. 29, 2017; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. The reasons for establishing or amending the detailed standards;

2. Progress and results of deliberation by the Gas Technical Standards Committee;

3. Meeting minutes of the Gas Technical Standards Committee.

Article 9-2(Exemption from obligations to supply gas) #

"Where .... prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 19-3 (3) of the Act means any of the following cases: <Amended on Feb. 11, 2014>

1. Where the area where gas supply facilities are to be installed is owned by an individual and the owner or occupant of the area concerned does not consent to the installation of gas supply facilities;

2. Where the area which requests for urban gas supply is located adjacent to the pipes of the end part of gas supply facilities and urban gas supply is incomplete as the urban gas pressure measured at pipes of the end part fails to remain in the range of 1 kilo pascals between 2.5 kilo pascals.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Jul. 26, 2010]

Article 10(Scope of data requested to relevant agencies for cooperation) #

(1) The scope of data or information that a gas wholesale dealer, 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"), or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu may request from the head of a relevant agency under Article 20-4 (1) of the Act shall be as follows:

1. Data or information requested to the Minister of Health and Welfare or the head of a local government: Matters regarding an application by any of the following persons for benefits and changes in his or her qualification under the relevant statute:

(a) A recipient of livelihood benefits, housing benefits, medical benefits, or education benefits under Article 7 (1) 1 through 4 of the National Basic Living Security Act;

(b) A person belonging to the second-lowest income bracket under suaparagraph 10 of Article 2 of the National Basic Livelihood Security Act;

(c) A person with severe disabilities from among those with disabilities under Article 2 (2) of the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Act;

2. Data or information requested to the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs: Matters regarding the grade, registration, and change of qualification of any of the following persons:

(a) A person who has been assigned a physical disability rating of Grades 1 through 3 under Article 12 of the Enforcement Decree of the Act on Compensation to Persons Associated with the May 18 Democratization Movement, and Appendices 3 and 4 of that Decree;

(b) A person who has been assigned a disability rating of Grades 1 through 3 under Article 6-4 of the Act on the Honorable Treatment of and Support for Persons of Distinguished Service to the State;

(c) A person of distinguished service to independence under the Act on the Honorable Treatment of Persons of Distinguished Service to Independence or a person given the first priority from among his or her bereaved family members;

3. Data or Information requested to the Minister of the Interior and Safety or the head of a local government: Electronic data of resident registration under Article 30 (1) of the Resident Registration Act of a person falling in the categories of subparagraph 1 or 2.

(2) Information on gas users that a gas wholesale business entity, a Mayor/Do Governor, or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu may request from a general urban gas business entity under Article 20-4 (2) of the Act shall be as follows:

Article 11(Measures to ensure appropriate measurement of quantity of urban gas supply) #

(1) General urban gas business entities referred to in Article 21 (1) of the Act shall apply a correction factor, determined and publicly notified by the Mayor/Do Governor as prescribed in the supply regulations under Article 20 (1) of the Act, in order to ensure appropriateness in measuring the amount of gas supply. <Amended on Sep. 21, 2009; Jul. 26, 2014; Mar. 18, 2025>

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), where a gas user installs and uses a device that satisfies any of the following requirements for correcting the temperature and pressure of urban gas (hereinafter referred to as "thermal pressure rectifying device"), the quantity of urban gas supply measured by the thermal pressure device shall apply to the relevant user: <Amended on Sep. 21, 2009>

1. It shall be certified as prescribed in Article 15 of the Industrial Standardization Act;

2. It shall be manufactured after obtaining type approval under Article 12 (1) of the Measures Act and shall undergo examination under Article 20 of that Act.

(3) A thermal pressure rectifying device referred to in paragraph (2) 1 shall undergo an inspection of its performance at certain intervals after its first installation, as prescribed and publicly notified by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Amended on Sep. 21, 2009; Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

[Title Amended on Sep. 21, 2009]

Article 12(Methods and procedures for correction orders) #

(1) Where a Mayor/Do Governor issues a correction order under Article 21 (5) of the Act, he or she shall notify the relevant general urban gas business entity of the matters requiring correction, specifying a period for improvement as ordered which shall not exceed one year.

(2) A person in receipt of an order under paragraph (1) shall submit to the Mayor/Do Governor a plan for improvement with regard to a correction order within 30 days from the date of receipt of the order; and where it is impossible to fully take the measures as so ordered within the period for improvement, he or she may file with the Mayor/Do Governor an application for extension not exceeding six months by 10 days prior to the expiry of such period; and where a Mayor/Do Governor deems that good cause exists, the period may be extended only once.

Article 12-2(Quality inspection of urban gas) #

"Urban gas quality inspection agency prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 25-2 (1) of the Act means the Korea Gas Safety Corporation.

[This Article Added on Jan. 17, 2012]

Article 13(Period for improvement of gas facilities) #

(1) Where the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu intends to issue an order to repair, improve or relocate gas facilities or to take measures necessary for preventing hazards, such as suspension of the supply of urban gas under Article 27 (1) of the Act, he or she shall determine a period required for repair, improvement, etc. of gas facilities, which shall not exceed one year (hereafter in this Article referred to as "period for improvement"). <Amended on Sep. 21, 2009; Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Where a person in receipt of an order under paragraph (1) is unable to fully take the measures as ordered within the period for improvement due to a natural disaster or any other inevitable cause, he or she may apply for the extension of the period by up to six months to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources or to the head of a Si/Gun/Gu before the specified period expires, and the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu may grant extension thereof if it is deemed that good cause exists. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 14(Compensation for loss) #

(1) When paying compensation for loss under the latter part of Article 27 (2) of the Act, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu shall determine the amount of compensation and other matters related to compensation in consultation with the urban gas business entity which has suffered such loss. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

(2) Where consultation is not, or cannot be, conducted under paragraph (1) over a matter for which the head of a Si/Gun/Gu shall make compensation for loss, the head of a Si/Gun/Gu or the relevant urban gas business entity may file an application for adjudication with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Where the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources receives an application for adjudication referred to in paragraph (2), he or she shall notify the other parties thereof and provide him or her with an opportunity to submit a statement of his or her opinion by prescribing a period for submission. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

(4) Where the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources receives an application for adjudication referred to in paragraph (2), he or she may prepare a consultation proposal regarding the amount of compensation and other matters related to compensation for loss, and recommend its acceptance by the relevant parties. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 14-2(building construction work not requiring notification of construction work plan) #

"Construction work prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the proviso of Article 28-3 (1) of the Act means any of the following:

1. Building construction work for which the constructor of the construction work has taken safety measures for urban gas pipelines after prior consultation thereon with users of urban gas and the relevant urban gas business entity;

2. Construction work for the extension, or substantial repair of, a building that involves the removal of part of the building [referring to walls, columns, floors, beams or roof trusses (in cases of traditional Korean-style houses defined in subparagraph 16 of Article 2 of the Enforcement Decree of the Building Act, rafters shall be excluded from the scope of roof trusses); hereafter the same shall apply in this Article];

3. Construction work for the extension, alteration, or substantial repair of a building that involves the removal of part of the building, which meets all of the following requirements:

(a) There shall be no urban gas pipeline or urban gas supply in the parts to be removed;

(b) There shall be no concern over any damage to gas pipeline facilities around the area.

[This Article Added on Jun. 30, 2015]

Article 15(Types of and qualifications for safety managers) #

(1) The types of safety managers prescribed in Article 29 of the Act shall be as follows:

1. A safety supervisor;

2. A safety vice-supervisor;

3. A senior safety officer;

4. A safety officer;

5. A safety inspector.

(2) An urban gas business entity (in the case of a corporation, the representative thereof), an installer of gas supply facilities other than an urban gas business entity (in the case of a corporation, the representative thereof), or a user of specific gas-using facilities (in the case of a corporation, the representative thereof) shall serve as a safety supervisor; and the chief officer directly managing the relevant gas supply facilities shall serve as a safety vice-supervisor.

(3) The qualifications of safety managers and number of safety managers to be appointed shall be as specified in Appendix 1.

Article 16(Duties of safety managers) #

(1) Safety managers shall perform the following duties: <Amended on Jul. 26, 2010; Feb. 11, 2014>

1. Maintaining the safety of gas supply facilities or specific gas-using facilities;

2. Improving facilities found to be non-compliant during a regular or non-periodic inspection under Article 17 of the Act;

3. Verifying whether obligations to conduct safety inspections are fulfilled under Article 19-4 of the Act;

4. Preparing and retaining records on the implementation of safety management regulations under Article 26 (4) of the Act;

5. Directing and supervising matters necessary for the safety management for employees;

6. Conducting work-around inspections of pressure governors, urban gas pipelines, and auxiliary facilities, managing structures, managing remote monitoring systems, and preparing and managing contingency plans for inspection services and safety;

7. Conducting a leakage test for main pipelines and supply pipelines, and managing electric installations;

8. Managing user supply pipelines;

9. Managing excavation work for supply facilities and gas-using facilities;

10. Drilling pipelines;

11. Taking other measures for preventing hazards.

(2) Deleted. <Jul. 26, 2010>

(3) Except as provided in this Decree, a senior safety officer, a safety officer, and a safety inspector shall not assume tasks other than the duties specified in the subparagraphs of paragraph (1). <Amended on Jul. 26, 2010>

(4) The duties of safety managers shall be classified as follows: <Amended on Jul. 26, 2010>

1. A safety supervisor: Exercising overall control over the safety of gas supply facilities or specific gas-using facilities;

2. A safety vice-supervisor: Directly managing the safety of the relevant gas supply facilities, providing assistance to a safety supervisor;

3. A senior safety officer: Managing technical matters related to the safety of places of business and directing and supervising safety officers or safety inspectors, providing assistance to a safety vice-supervisor (in the case of specific gas-using facilities, referring to a safety supervisor);

Article 17(Construction work not requiring verification of status of urban gas pipelines laid underground) #

"Work prescribed by Presidential Decree" in the proviso of Article 30-3 (1) of the Act means any of the following: <Amended on Sep. 21, 2009; Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Excavation work manually conducted by the owner or occupant of the land;

2. Excavation work of less than 450 millimeters in depth conducted for cultivation purposes on farmland as defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Farmland Act;

3. Excavation work manually conducted by an urban gas business entity to verify the location of urban gas pipelines after receipt of notification of the status of urban gas pipelines from the Excavation Work Information Support Center established under Article 30-2 of the Act;

4. Other excavation work acknowledged and publicly notified by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources as unlikely to damage urban gas pipelines.

[Title Amended on Sep. 21, 2009]

Article 18(Gas safety impact assessment) #

The person required to conduct a gas safety impact assessment under Article 30-4 (1) of the Act shall be the person intending to conduct construction work on an urban railroad (only applicable to those installed underground), underground passage, underpass, or underground shopping mall at a place, in which urban gas pipelines prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources pass through. <Amended on Sep. 21, 2009; Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 19(Provisions applicable mutatis mutandis) #

The provisions of Articles 8, 13 through 17, 20 (1) 1, 2, 6 through 8, and 20 (2), 23 (2), 24 and 25 shall apply mutatis mutandis to installers of gas supply facilities, other than urban gas business entities.

Article 20(Order for adjustment) #

(1) The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources may order urban gas business entities to make the following adjustments under Article 40 (1) of the Act: <Amended on Sep. 21, 2009; Mar. 23, 2013; Feb. 11, 2014; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Adjustment of a construction work plan for gas supply facilities;

2. Adjustment of a gas supply plan;

3. Adjustment of areas for supply where gas is supplied to at least two areas including a Special Metropolitan City, Metropolitan City, Special Self-Governing City, Do, or Special Self-Governing Province;

4. Adjustment of terms and conditions for supply, such as urban gas rates;

5. Adjustment of heat, pressure, and combustion of urban gas;

6. Adjustment of the joint use of gas supply facilities;

7. Adjustment of the scale, timing, etc. of the quantities of natural gas exported or imported;

8. Deleted. <Feb. 8, 2022>

(2) Where the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources issues an order for adjustment under paragraph (1) 1 through 6, he or she shall hear from the competent Mayor/Do Governor, if necessary. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) The Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources may order a direct importer for his or her own consumption to make the following adjustments under Article 40 (1) of the Act: <Added on Feb. 8, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Adjustment of a construction work plan for gas supply facilities;

2. Adjustment of the joint use of gas supply facilities;

3. Adjustment of the scale, timing, etc. of the quantities of natural gas exported or imported;

4. Adjustment of the sale to or exchange with gas wholesale dealers;

5. Adjustment of exchange with natural gas business entities for ships.

(4) Where the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources intends to issue an order for adjustment under the subparagraphs of paragraph (3), he or she shall hear from a direct importer for his or her own consumption beforehand. <Added on Feb. 8, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>

(5) Where the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources or a Mayor/Do Governor intends to order the adjustment of a gas service area or consolidation of business under Article 40 (2) or (3) of the Act, he or she shall hear from the relevant general urban gas business entity beforehand. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Feb. 8, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 21(Size of area and period of validity) #

A Mayor/Do Governor may issue an order for adjustment of a gas service area and consolidation of business under Article 40 (3) of the Act where all of the following requirements are met:

1. Where the size of an area designated or changed under any statute referred to in the subparagraphs of Article 40 (3) of the Act is at least 15/100 of a service area granted permission for general urban gas business under Article 3 (2) of the Act;

2. Where 20 years have passed since the permission for general urban gas business was granted under the former part of Article 3 (2) of the Act.

Article 22(Guidance and supervision) #

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources may take the following measures against a Mayor/Do Governor or the head of a Si/Gun/Gu under Article 40-3 of the Act: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Dec. 27, 2016; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Providing advice, recommendation, or guidance on gas safety control affairs;

2. Establishing the standards and procedures for handling gas safety control affairs and giving notification thereof;

3. Issuing instructions on inspections of gas facilities to prevent any gas accident;

4. Issuing instructions on special safety control of facilities that are deemed to require special management for gas safety;

5. Issuing instructions on implementing relevant affairs if negligent gas safety control is likely to harm the safety of the public or to cause any hazard;

6. Issuing instructions on relevant measures if urgent measures are required for gas safety control.

Article 23(Reporting) #

(1) In accordance with Article 41 of the Act, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources may require a Mayor/Do Governor and head of a Si/Gun/Gu to report the following matters: <Amended on Jul. 26, 2010; Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. The current status of permission for the urban gas business under Article 3 of the Act;

2. The current status of temporary or permanent closure of business under Article 8 of the Act;

3. The current status of orders for revocation of permission for urban gas business, suspension of business, or restrictions on business under Article 9 of the Act;

4. The current status of imposition of penalty surcharges on urban gas business entities by the Mayor/Do Governor under Article 10 of the Act;

5. The current status of orders issued by the Mayor/Do Governor to gas business entities to adjust gas service areas and consolidate business under Article 40 (2) of the Act.

(2) In accordance with Article 41 of the Act, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources may require an urban gas business entity to report the following: <Amended on Jul. 30, 2013; Jul. 21, 2014; Feb. 8, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Matters regarding the implementation of an order for adjustment under Article 20 of the Act;

2. Matters prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, such as the relevant plan, results, etc., if there are any support plans or actual results for the areas adjacent to the facilities for loading, unloading, storing or vaporizing liquefied natural gas and transshipping such gas to pipes;

3. Matters regarding the relevant terms and conditions of purchase (where any modification is made to reported terms and conditions, including such modified terms and conditions of purchase) if urban gas is supplied by any of the following methods:

(a) Where a gas wholesale dealer is supplied with byproduct gas from naphtha or biogas by a producer of byproduct gas from naphtha or biogas under Article 8-3 (1) of the Act;

(b) Where a gas wholesale dealer is supplied with synthetic natural gas by a synthetic natural gas producer under Article 8-3 (2) of the Act;

(c) Where a gas wholesale dealer is supplied with natural gas by a direct importer for his or her own consumption under Article 10-6 (1) of the Act;

Article 24(Types of insurance) #

(1) The type of insurance referred to in Article 43 of the Act shall be gas accident liability insurance or an insurance policy that includes the same coverage.

(2) The amount of insurance coverage under Article 43 of the Act shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) Matters necessary for the procedures for subscribing to insurance under Article 43 (2) of the Act, the methods and procedures for supporting persons performing projects to prevent urban gas accidents under paragraph (3) of that Article and other relevant matters shall be determined by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources in consultation with the Financial Services Commission. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 25(Those subject to recommendation on investment for safety management) #

"Other urban gas business entities prescribed by Presidential Decree" in Article 43-3 of the Act means urban gas business entities whose investment in safety management made for the recent three years is considerably smaller than ordinary investment in safety management made by another urban gas business entity, which is similar thereto in terms of the scale of facilities and sales.

Article 26(Delegation and entrustment of authority) #

(1) The Mayor/Do Governor shall delegate his or her authority over granting permission for using land for the installation of gas pipeline facilities under Article 42-2 (2) of the Act to the heads of Sis/Guns/Gus under Article 45 (1) of the Act. <Amended on Feb. 11, 2014>

(2) In accordance with Article 45 (2) of the Act, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources, Mayors/Do Governors, or heads of Sis/Guns/Gus shall entrust the authority prescribed in the subparagraphs of that paragraph (excluding the authority over regular inspection of specific gas-using facilities prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources among specific gas-using facilities referred to in Article 17 (1) of the Act) to Korea Gas Safety Corporation. <Amended on Jul. 26, 2010; Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

(3) In accordance with 45 (3) of the Act, the heads of Sis/Guns/Gus shall entrust the Korea Gas Safety Corporation or an inspection agency specified in Article 35 of the High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act with the authority to conduct regular inspections of specific gas-using facilities prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources among specific gas-using facilities specified in the main clause of Article 17 (1) of the Act. In such cases, the classification of the authority entrusted to the Korea Gas Safety Corporation and the authority entrusted to an inspection agency shall be determined and publicly notified by the heads of the Sis/Guns/Gus. <Amended on Jul. 26, 2010; Mar. 23, 2013; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 26-2(Processing of sensitive information and personally identifiable information) #

(1) The Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources, Mayors/Do Governors, and heads of Sis/Guns/Gus (where relevant authority is delegated or entrusted, including those to whom the authority is delegated or entrusted) may process information on health under Article 23 of the Personal Information Protection Act and data containing resident registration numbers or alien registration numbers under subparagraph 1 or 4 of Article 19 of the Enforcement Decree of that Act if they are essential for performing the following: <Amended on Feb. 8, 2022; Mar. 18, 2025; Oct. 1, 2025>

1. Affairs related to permission of urban gas businesses and permission of modifications under Article 3 of the Act;

2. Affairs related to reports on the succession to the status of an urban gas business entity under Article 7 of the Act;

3. Affairs related to registration of natural gas export and import businesses, and registration of modifications, and related to reports on natural gas shipping businesses, and reports on modifications, under Article 10-2 of the Act;

4. Affairs related to conditional registration of natural gas export and import businesses under Article 10-3 of the Act;

5. Affairs related to approval of contracts for the import, export or transportation of natural gas, approval of modifications, reporting thereon and reporting on modifications, reporting on contracts for the shipment or transportation of natural gas, and reporting on modifications under Article 10-5 of the Act;

6. Affairs related to registration of natural gas businesses for ships and registration of modifications under Article 10-11 of the Act;

7. Affairs related to reports on contracts for the import, export or transportation of natural gas and reports on modifications under Article 10-13 of the Act;

8. Affairs related to approval of facility construction work plans, approval of modifications, reporting of such plans and reporting on modifications under Article 11 of the Act;

9. Affairs related to reports on the installation of emergency supply facilities under Article 11-2 of the Act;

10. Affairs related to temporary use of gas supply facilities under Article 16 of the Act;

11. Affairs related to exemption from all or part of regular inspections under Article 17 of the Act (including cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis in Article 39-5 of the Act);

Article 26-3(Re-examination of regulation) #

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources shall examine the appropriateness of the following matters every three years, counting from each base date specified in the following (referring to the period that ends on the day before January 1 of every third year) and shall take measures, such as making improvements: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

1. The requirements for the registration of the natural gas export and import business under Article 3: January 1, 2014;

2. Standards for the imposition of administrative fines under Article 27: January 1, 2015.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Jul. 21, 2014]

[Moved from Article 26-2 <Aug. 19, 2015>]

Article 27(Criteria for imposition of administrative fines) #

The criteria for the imposition of administrative fines under Article 54 of the Act shall be as specified in Appendix 2.

[This Article Wholly Amended on Apr. 5, 2011]