The fee for accessing property registration documents online will increase from 700 won to 1,100 won starting November 23, prompting real estate agents to demand a reversal and free access. The Korea Association of Realtors argues that the increased burden of accessing registration information, which must be verified repeatedly during transactions, is unjustified. In contrast, the Supreme Court maintains that adjusting long-frozen fees is necessary to secure funding for the operation of registration services.
On November 13, the Korea Association of Realtors held a rally in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, in collaboration with Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Dong-a, to urge the reversal of the fee increase and advocate for free access. Approximately 500 people, including association officials and practicing real estate agents, attended the event.
According to the Supreme Court, the online property registration access fee will rise by 400 won (57.1%) from the current 700 won to 1,100 won. The fee for online issuance will also increase by 400 won (40%), from 1,000 won to 1,400 won. Fees for in-person issuance at registration offices will rise from 1,200 won to 1,600 won, while fees for automated issuance machines will increase from 1,000 won to 1,400 won.
The association argues that verifying property registration is a crucial step for ensuring safety in real estate transactions. This verification is necessary at various stages, from advertising listings to contract signing and payment of the final balance, to confirm changes in ownership and mortgage rights.
With the increase in online access fees, the cost for ten accesses will rise from 7,000 won to 11,000 won. The association expressed concern that the increased financial burden could lead to fewer real estate agents and tenants checking property registrations, potentially hindering efforts to prevent rental fraud.
The association stated, "In the digital age, where processing costs have decreased due to automated systems, raising fees is a bureaucratic mindset. As public information that protects citizens' property rights, access to and issuance of property registration documents should be completely free of charge."
Opposition to the fee increase has led to a petition campaign. Since last month, the association has gathered signatures from 24,091 practicing real estate agents and submitted a petition to the Court Administration on November 6. A national petition regarding the reversal of the fee increase and calls for free access reached 50,000 signatures by November 10.
On the same day, the association delivered a policy proposal to lawmaker Kim Dong-a, requesting prompt review of amendments to the Real Estate Registration Act currently pending in the National Assembly's Legislative and Judiciary Committee, which were introduced by lawmakers Hong Gi-won and Kwon Chil-seung.
The Supreme Court has stated that the fee increase is unavoidable. The online issuance fee has remained unchanged for about 22 years, while the access fee has not changed for approximately 24 years. However, due to a downturn in the real estate market, revenues have decreased while expenses for labor and operations have increased.
Since 2022, the registration special account has been running a financial deficit. Although efforts have been made to increase registration application fees and manage public funds, there have been limitations in resolving the financial deterioration.
Regarding the demand for complete free access, the Supreme Court expressed a negative stance, citing financial burdens and the potential for misuse of personal information. It explained that if the shortfall from free access were covered by taxes, the general public would end up bearing the costs incurred by professionals who frequently use registration information, such as real estate agents.
Additionally, the court raised concerns that eliminating fees could lead to increased mass collection of registration information through automated programs, which could be misused in crimes such as voice phishing when combined with artificial intelligence technology.
However, the Supreme Court indicated that if the financial stability of the registration special account is restored, it would actively consider lowering access and issuance fees again, similar to past instances of fee reductions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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