액화석유가스의 안전관리 및 사업법

Article 1Purpose

The purpose of this Act is to prescribe matters relating to the export and import, filling, storage, sale, and use of liquefied petroleum gas as well as the safety control of gas appliances, thereby ensuring public safety and to reasonably coordinate the liquefied petroleum gas business, thereby ensuring proper supply and use of liquefied petroleum gas.

Article 2Definitions

The terms used in this Act are defined as follows: <Amended on Aug. 20, 2019; Oct. 1, 2025>1. "Liquefied petroleum gas" means liquefied gas (including vaporized gas) primarily composed of propane or butane;2. "Liquefied petroleum gas export or import business" means the business of exporting or importing liquefied petroleum gas;3. "Liquefied petroleum gas exporter or importer" means a person who conducts the business of exporting or importing liquefied petroleum gas after registration (including where registration is exempted) under Article 17;4. "Liquefied petroleum gas filling business" means the business of supplying liquefied petroleum gas by filling containers (including the transportation of liquefied petroleum gas to other storage tanks through pipelines; hereinafter the same shall apply) or tanks fitted to motor vehicles with liquefied petroleum gas stored in a storage facility;5. "Liquefied petroleum gas filling business operator" means a person who has obtained permission to engage in the liquefied petroleum gas filling business under Article 5;6. "Liquefied petroleum gas collective supply business" means the business of supplying liquefied petroleum gas as fuel through pipelines in response to the demand of general consumers;6-2. "Liquefied petroleum gas pipeline network supply business" means a type of liquefied petroleum gas collective supply business, as prescribed by Presidential Decree, that supplies liquefied petroleum gas to general consumers through pipelines laid underground in roads, etc. from a storage tank;7. "Collective supplier of liquefied petroleum gas" means a person who has obtained permission to conduct the business of collectively supplying liquefied petroleum gas under Article 5;7-2. "Liquefied petroleum gas pipeline network supplier" means a collective supplier of liquefied petroleum gas that has obtained permission for the liquefied petroleum gas pipeline network supply business under Article 5;8. "Liquefied petroleum gas sales business" means the business of selling liquefied petroleum gas filled in containers or supplying liquefied petroleum gas filled in tanks fitted to motor vehicles (referring to tanks the size of which meet standards prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources) to storage facilities not exceeding the size prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources;9. "Liquefied petroleum gas dealer" means a person who has obtained permission to conduct liquefied petroleum gas sales business under Article 5;10. "Contract liquefied petroleum gas transportation " means the business of transporting liquefied petroleum gas to supply it to small storage tanks by using tanks fitted to motor vehicles prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources after having been entrusted with the transportation of liquefied petroleum gas by a liquefied petroleum gas filling business operator or liquefied petroleum gas dealer prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources;11. "Contract liquefied petroleum gas transportation operator" means a person who has obtained registration for the transportation of liquefied petroleum gas under contract in accordance with Article 9;12. "Gas appliance manufacturing business" means the business of manufacturing appliances to use liquefied petroleum gas or other fuel gases under the Urban Gas Business Act;13. "Gas appliance manufacturer" means a person who has obtained permission to conduct gas appliance manufacturing business under Article 5;14. "Liquefied petroleum gas storage facility" means a specific place where liquefied petroleum gas of not less than a certain amount prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources is stored in containers or storage tanks;15. "Person who stores liquefied petroleum gas" means a person who has obtained permission to install liquefied petroleum gas storage facilities under Article 8;16. "Liquefied petroleum gas business operators" means liquefied petroleum gas filling business operators, collective suppliers of liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied petroleum gas dealers, contract liquefied petroleum gas transportation operators, gas appliance manufacturers, and persons who store liquefied petroleum gas;17. "Precise safety diagnosis" means that an institution specializing in gas safety control detects potential risk factors and the causes thereof in gas supply facilities using equipment and technology in order to prevent gas accidents.

Article 3Forecasts of conditions of supply of and demand for liquefied petroleum gas

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources shall every year forecast the conditions of supply of and demand for liquefied petroleum gas for the following 5 years for stable supply of and demand for liquefied petroleum gas in the whole country, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. In such cases, the Minister shall take into account the following: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>1. Demand for liquefied petroleum gas;

2. Production and exports and imports of liquefied petroleum gas;

3. Capacity of storage facilities of liquefied petroleum gas;

4. Other important matters that could affect the supply of and demand for liquefied petroleum gas.

Article 3-2Policy regarding use and supply of liquefied petroleum gas

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources shall formulate and implement policy regarding the use and supply of liquefied petroleum gas every 2 years based on forecasts of supply and demand conditions under Article 3. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>[This Article Added on Oct. 31, 2017]

Article 4Relationship to other statutes

(1) The High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act and the Urban Gas Business Act shall apply to matters not prescribed in this Act concerning liquefied petroleum gas.

(2) Where a liquefied petroleum gas filling business operator or liquefied petroleum gas dealer sells liquefied petroleum gas, Article 10 of the Petroleum and Alternative Fuel Business Act shall not apply thereto.

Article 5Permission to conduct business

(1) A person who intends to conduct liquefied petroleum gas filling business, gas appliance manufacturing business, or liquefied petroleum gas collective supply business shall obtain permission for each business premise from the Special Self-Governing City Mayor, the Special Self-Governing Province Governor, or the head of the Si, the head of the Gun, or the head of the Gu (the head of the Gu refers to the head of an autonomous Gu; hereinafter referred to as the "head of the Si/Gun/Gu").

(2) Any person who intends to conduct liquefied petroleum gas sales business shall obtain permission for each store from the head of a Si/Gun/Gu. In such cases, where any liquefied petroleum gas dealer who has obtained permission sells liquefied petroleum gas filled in containers, he or she may sell liquefied petroleum gas filled in containers only in areas of the Special Metropolitan City, a Metropolitan City, Special Self-Governing City, Do or Special Self-Governing Province (hereinafter referred to as "City/Do") having jurisdiction over areas in a Special Self-Governing City, Special Self-Governing Province, or Si/Gun/Gu (In cases of a gu, referring to an autonomous gu; hereinafter referred to as "Si/Gun/Gu") in which he or she has obtained permission to sell liquefied petroleum gas filled in containers; provided, even in the case of a Si/Gun/Gu within the jurisdiction of another City/Do, where such Si/Gun/Gu abuts on a Si/Gun/Gu in which he or she has obtained permission to sell liquefied petroleum gas filled in containers, he or she may sell liquefied petroleum gas filled in containers.

(3) Where a person intends to modify any important matter prescribed as significant by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources among the matters permitted under paragraph (1), (2), or (7), the person shall obtain permission for the modification from the head of the Si/Gun/Gu; provided, where the person intends to modify any minor matter prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, the person shall file a report. <Amended on Feb. 3, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>(4) Upon receipt of a report on modification prescribed in the proviso of paragraph (3), the head of the Si/Gun/Gu shall examine the content thereof and accept the report if it complies with this Act. <Added on Feb. 3, 2022>(5) Types of permission and the scope of business subject to permission under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree, and facility standards and technical standards for the filling, collective supply, or sale of liquefied petroleum gas and the manufacture of gas appliances shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Amended on Feb. 3, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>(6) A liquefied petroleum gas filling business operator may establish business premises to supply liquefied petroleum gas filled in containers. In such cases, a liquefied petroleum gas filling business operator which intends to establish business premises shall meet the requirements for facilities, prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Amended on Feb. 3, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>(7) Where a liquefied petroleum gas filling business operator intends to establish business premises under paragraph (6), it shall obtain permission for each business premise from the head of the competent Si/Gun/Gu, and facility standards and technical standards for container storage facilities installed at the business premise shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Amended on Feb. 3, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>(8) Where the head of the Si/Gun/Gu grants permission or permission for modification or receives a report on modification under paragraphs (1) through (3) or paragraph (7), he or she shall notify the chief of the fire station having jurisdiction over the location of the business premise, sales outlet, or place of business within 7 days from the date on which he or she grants permission or accepts the report. <Amended on Feb. 3, 2022>(9) Where a liquefied petroleum gas dealer sells liquefied petroleum gas in containers to general consumers, the head of the Si/Gun/Gu having jurisdiction over the sales area shall supervise such sales and order any necessary measures as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Amended on Feb. 3, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 6Criteria for permission

(1) Where an application for permission or an application for permission for modification under Article 5(1) through (3) or (7) is filed, the head of the Si/Gun/Gu shall grant the permission except where the content of the application falls under any of the following: <Amended on Feb. 3, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>1. Where the commencement or modification of the business is determined to hinder the protection of the lives of the people and the prevention of property damage and disaster occurrence;

2. Where an applicant lacks funds and technical capability necessary to appropriately conduct business;

3. Where the relevant facility is built in an area where the construction of such facilities is prohibited in consideration of access roads, urban planning, population density;

4. Where it is determined that safety has not been secured based on the results of a technical review conducted by the Korea Gas Safety Corporation established under Article 28 of the High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act (hereinafter referred to as "Korea Gas Safety Corporation");

5. In the case of liquefied petroleum gas collective supply business, if the applicant fails to meet any of the following requirements:a. The applicant shall own the supply facility prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (hereinafter referred to as "supply facility");b. The applicant shall have the right to use and manage the supply facility for at least 5 years under a lease agreement or similar agreement;c. Where the applicant intends to supply liquefied petroleum gas to multi-family housing newly built for sale, the applicant shall have the right to use and manage the supply facility under a lease agreement or similar agreement concluded with the project owner of the multi-family housing during the period in which the project owner constructs and manages the multi-family housing;

6. Where an applicant violates any restriction under other statutes or regulations.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), permission for or permission for any modification of liquefied petroleum gas pipeline network supply business, which is a type of liquefied petroleum gas collective supply business under Article 5(1) and (3), shall be granted only if the applicant satisfies the following criteria: <Added on Aug. 20, 2019>1. The relevant business is of an economic scale appropriate for the public interest and general demand;

2. The relevant applicant has financial resources and technical capabilities necessary to properly conduct the business;

3. The relevant applicant has the capability to establish and maintain supply facilities as appropriate for the stable supply of urban gas;

4. The relevant applicant shall have the right to use and manage pipeline network supply facilities by virtue of ownership, a lease agreement, or other similar agreement.

(3) Detailed matters regarding the requirements under paragraph (1)1 through 3 shall be prescribed by ordinance of the relevant local government. <Amended on Aug. 20, 2019>(4) Detailed matters regarding the criteria for permission under paragraph (2) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Added on Aug. 20, 2019; Oct. 1, 2025>(5) Within the scope of the criteria for granting permission under paragraph (2), the head of the Si/Gun/Gu may determine and publicly notify detailed criteria for granting permission or service areas for liquefied petroleum gas pipeline network supply business, which is a type of liquefied petroleum gas collective supply business, to suit regional characteristics. In such cases, the head of the Si/Gun/Gu shall hold a consultation with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Added on Aug. 20, 2019; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 7Grounds for disqualification

None of the following persons shall obtain permission under Article 5 or registration under Article 9: <Amended on Jan. 6, 2016>1. A person under adult guardianship;

2. A person declared bankrupt who has not been reinstated;

3. A person sentenced to imprisonment without labor or heavier punishment declared by a court for violating Article 172, 172-2, 173, 173-2, 174 (excluding an attempted crime under Article 164(1), 165, or 166(1)), or 175 (excluding any person who has prepared or conspired for the purpose of committing a crime under Article 164(1), 165, or 166(1)) of the Criminal Act, the High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act, the Urban Gas Business Act, or this Act, in whose case 2 years have not passed since the execution of the sentence was completed (including where the execution is deemed completed) or was exempted;

4. A person who is under suspension of the execution of imprisonment without labor or heavier punishment declared by a court for having committed a crime provided in subparagraph 3;

5. A person in whose case 2 years have not passed since permission or registration was revoked (excluding cases where permission or registration was revoked because he or she fell under grounds for disqualification under subparagraph 1 or 2) under Article 13;

6. A corporation whose representative falls under any of subparagraphs 1 through 5.

Article 8Permission to build storage facilities

(1) A person who intends to build liquefied petroleum gas storage facilities shall obtain permission from the head of the Si/Gun/Gu for each storage facility.

(2) Where a person intends to modify any important matter prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources among the matters permitted under paragraph (1), the person shall obtain permission for the modification from the head of the Si/Gun/Gu; provided, where the person she intends to modify any minor matter prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, the person shall file a report. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>(3) Upon receipt of a report on modification under the proviso of paragraph (2), the head of the Si/Gun/Gu shall examine the content thereof and, if it complies with this Act, accept the report. <Added on Feb. 3, 2022>(4) The criteria for and scope of permission under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree, and the facility standards and technical standards for liquefied petroleum gas storage facilities shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Amended on Feb. 3, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>(5) When the head of a Si/Gun/Gu grants permission or permission to make any change or receives a report on change pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2), he or she shall notify the chief of a fire station having jurisdiction over the location of the liquefied petroleum gas storage facility of matters permitted or reported within seven days from the date on which he or she grants permission or accepts a report. <Amended on Feb. 3, 2022>

Article 9Registration of contract liquefied petroleum gas transportation operators

(1) A person who intends to conduct contract liquefied petroleum gas transportation shall file for registration with the head of the Si/Gun/Gu.

(2) Where a person intends to modify any important matter prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources among the matters registered under paragraph (1), the person shall file for registration of the modification with the head of the Si/Gun/Gu; provided, the person intends to modify any minor matter prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, the person shall file a report. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>(3) Where the head of the Si/Gun/Gu receives a report under the proviso of paragraph (2), he or she shall review the content thereof and accept the report if it complies with this Act. <Added on Feb. 3, 2022>(4) The criteria for registration and the scope of matters subject to registration under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Feb. 3, 2022>(5) Except as provided in paragraphs (1) through (4), matters necessary to conduct contract liquefied petroleum gas transportation shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Amended on Feb. 3, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 10Registration of manufacturing of foreign gas appliances

(1) A person who intends to manufacture gas appliances in a foreign country to export them to the Republic of Korea shall file for registration with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>(2) Where a person intends to modify any important matter prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources among matters registered under paragraph (1), the person shall file for registration of the modification with the head of the Si/Gun/Gu; provided, the person intends to modify any minor matter prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, the person shall file a report. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>(3) A person who has obtained registration under paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as "foreign gas appliance manufacturer") shall regularly renew registration for each period prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>(4) Criteria for registration and the scope of matters subject to registration, such as technical capabilities of persons who intend to file for registration under paragraph (1) or renewal of registration under paragraph (3) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

(5) The Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources shall notify a person who has filed a report modification under the proviso of paragraph (2) of whether the report is accepted, within 3 days from the date of receipt of the report. <Added on Feb. 3, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>(6) Where the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources fails to notify a person who has filed a report of whether his or her report is accepted or whether the processing period is extended under statutes or regulations related to processing civil petitions within the period prescribed in paragraph (5), the report shall be deemed accepted on the day following the expiration date of such period (referring to the extended or re-extended period if the processing period is extended or re-extended under the statutes or regulations related to processing civil petitions). <Added on Feb. 3, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>(7) Except as provided in paragraphs (1) through (6), facility standards and technical standards regarding the manufacturing of gas appliances, and other matters necessary for registration shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Amended on Feb. 3, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 11Reporting on commencement of business

(1) In any of the following cases, each of the liquefied petroleum gas business operators shall file a report with the head of the Si/Gun/Gu under Article 5 or 8 (hereinafter referred to as "permitting authority") or the head of the Si/Gun/Gu under Article 9 (hereinafter referred to as "registering authority") as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources: <Amended on Feb. 3, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>1. Where it intends to commence its business or the use of liquefied petroleum gas storage facilities or to close its business permanently;

2. Where they intend to suspend business or the use of their liquefied petroleum gas storage facilities for a specific period or resume their business or the use of their liquefied petroleum gas storage facilities after the suspension thereof.

(2) Where the permitting authority or the registering authority receives a report under paragraph (1), he or she shall examine the details thereof and accept the report if it complies with this Act. <Added on Feb. 3, 2022>

Article 12Succession to status of business operator

(1) Any of the following persons who intends to succeed to the status of a liquefied petroleum gas business operator shall file a report with the permitting authority or the registering authority, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>1. Where a liquefied petroleum gas business operator transfers its business or liquefied petroleum gas storage facility, the transferee;

2. Where a liquefied petroleum gas business operator, which is a corporation, merges with another corporation, the surviving or resulting corporation following merger or consolidation.

(2) Where a person, who has acquired facilities of a liquefied petroleum gas business operator in their entirety in accordance with any of the following procedures, intends to succeed to the status of the previous liquefied petroleum gas business operator, the person shall file a report with the permitting authority or the registering authority as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>1. Auction under the Civil Execution Act;

2. Liquidation under the Debtor Rehabilitation and Bankruptcy Act;

3. Sale of seized property under the National Tax Collection Act, the Customs Act, or the Local Tax Collection Act;

4. Other procedures corresponding to the provisions of subparagraphs 1 through 3.

(3) Where a liquefied petroleum gas business operator is deceased and the successor intends to succeed to the status of the liquefied petroleum gas business operator, the successor shall file a report with the permitting authority or the registering authority within 30 days from the date of the predecessor's death, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>(4) The permitting authority or the registering authority shall, in receipt of a report under paragraphs (1) through (3), examine the details thereof and accept such report if it complies with this Act; provided, where a person who intends to succeed to the status of a liquefied petroleum gas business operator (excluding a person who intends to succeed to the status of a person who store liquefied petroleum gas) falls under any ground for disqualification prescribed in any subparagraph of Article 7, the relevant report shall not be accepted.

(5) Where the report under paragraph (1) or (2) is accepted, the transferee, a corporation established by the surviving or resulting corporations following merger or consolidation, or a person who acquires the facilities of a liquefied petroleum gas business operator in their entirety shall succeed to the status of the previous liquefied petroleum gas business operator from the date of such transfer, merger, consolidation, or acquisition.

(6) Where the report under paragraph (3) is accepted, the successor shall succeed to the status of the predecessor as a liquefied petroleum gas business operator, and permission for or registration of the liquefied petroleum gas business of the predecessor shall be deemed permission for or registration of the liquefied petroleum gas business of the successor during the period from the date of death of the predecessor to the date of acceptance of the report.[This Article Wholly Amended on Feb. 3, 2022]

Article 13Revocation of permission or registration

(1) Where a liquefied petroleum gas business operator falls under any of the following, the permitting authority or the registering authority may revoke the permission or registration, or may order the suspension or restriction of the business or the use of the liquefied petroleum gas storage facilities for a specified period not exceeding 6 months; provided, in the case of subparagraph 1, 2, 7, or 9-4, the permitting authority or the registering authority shall revoke the permission or registration: <Amended on Nov. 28, 2017; Aug. 20, 2019>1. Where the operator obtains permission under Article 5 or 8 or obtains registration under Article 9 by fraud or other improper means;

2. Where the operator fails to commence business or the use of its liquefied petroleum gas storage facilities within 1 year from the date on which the operator obtained permission or filed for registration without good cause or fails to conduct business activities or to use its liquefied petroleum gas storage facilities for at least 1 year;

3. Where the operator causes significant harm to the public or users by intentional or negligence acts;

4. Where the operator fails to meet any criteria for permission under Article 5, 6, or 8 or any criteria for registration under Article 9;

5. Where the operator sells liquefied petroleum gas outside its sales areas under Article 5(2) or violates an order under paragraph (8) of that Article;

6. Where the operator fails to obtain permission for the modification, in violation of the main clause of Article 5(3) or the main clause of Article 8(2) or to file for registration of the modification, in violation of the main clause of Article 9(2);

7. Where the operator falls under any of the grounds for disqualification under Article 7;

8. Where the operator refuses to supply gas, or requests or recommends another business operator to refuse to supply gas without good cause;

9. Where the operator violates any of the provisions of Article 23(1) through (3);9-2. Where the operator violates Article 23-2(1);9-3. Where the operator violates Article 23-2(2);9-4. Where the operator installs or retrofits business facilities for the purpose of supplying short of the correct quantity, in violation of both Article 23-2(1) and (2), or acquires or leases the business facilities installed or retrofitted, and supplies liquefied petroleum gas below the correct quantity by using such means;

10. Where the operator violates any supply regulation under Article 25(1);

11. Where the operator sells or delivers liquefied petroleum gas, or stores, transports, or keeps liquefied petroleum gas for sale or delivery, in violation of Article 26(3);

12. Where the operator refuses, interferes with, or evades quality inspections under Article 27(2);

13. Where the operator violates Article 30(1) or (2);

14. Where the operator violates Article 32(1) or (2);

15. Where the operator violates an order under Article 33(1);

16. Where the operator fails to comply with any request of a consumer, in violation of Article 33(3);

17. Where the operator violates Article 34(1) or (2);

18. Where the operator violates Article 36(1) or (2);

19. Where the operator fails to undergo a regular inspection or occasional inspection, in violation of Article 37(1);

20. Where the operator fails to undergo any inspection, in violation of Article 39(1);

21. Where the operator fails to comply with the order to recall or order to make an official announcement, in violation of Article 40(2);21-2. Where gas appliances manufactured fail to indicate the information required to be provided, in violation of Article 40(4);

22. Where the operator refuses the order to make adjustments under Article 53;

23. Where the operator sells liquefied petroleum gas at a price higher than the maximum selling price under Article 23 of the Petroleum and Alternative Fuel Business Act applied mutatis mutandis under Article 64(2);

24. Where the operator transfers, leases, or uses (including the act of filling with gas) containers not inspected or reinspected, or displays such containers for sale, in violation of Article 17(5) of the High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act.

(2) Where a liquefied petroleum gas business operator falls under any of the following, the permitting authority or the registering authority shall not apply paragraph (1) for 6 months from the date on which the corporation falls under subparagraph 6 of Article 7 or the succession of the successor who has succeeded to the status begins:

1. Where the successor who has succeeded to the status of a liquefied petroleum gas business operator falls under any of subparagraphs 1 through 5 of Article 7;

2. Where the corporation falls under subparagraph 6 of Article 7.

(3) Where a person ordered to suspend business under paragraph (1) continues to conduct the business during the period of suspension, the permitting authority or the registering authority shall revoke the permission or registration. <Added on Aug. 20, 2019>(4) The criteria for disposition for each violation under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, considering of cause and severity of the violation. <Amended on Aug. 20, 2019; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 14Penalty surcharges

(1) Where a liquefied petroleum gas business operator falls under any of Article 13(1)3 through 6, 13(1)8, 9, 9-2, 9-3, or 10 through 24, but the suspension of or restriction on its business is likely to cause serious inconvenience to consumers or serious harm to the public interest, the permitting authority or the registering authority may impose a penalty surcharge not exceeding 40 million won in lieu of issuing an order to suspend or restrict the business. <Amended on Aug. 20, 2019>(2) The amount of penalty surcharges imposed for each type and degree of violation subject to penalty surcharge under paragraph (1) or other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>(3) Where a person liable to pay a penalty surcharge under paragraph (1) fails to pay it by the payment deadline, the permitting authority or the registering authority shall collect it pursuant to the Act on the Collection of Local Administrative Penalty Charges. <Amended on Mar. 24, 2020>

Article 15Revocation of registration of foreign gas appliance manufacturers

Where a foreign gas appliance manufacturer or a person who has filed for renewal of registration under Article 10(3) falls under any of the following, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources may revoke the registration or impose restrictions on the importation of foreign gas appliances into the Republic of Korea for a specified period not exceeding 6 months; provided, in cases falling under subparagraph 1, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources shall revoke the registration: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>1. Where the manufacturer or person obtains registration under Article 10(1) by fraud or other improper means;

2. Where the manufacturer or person fails to meet criteria for registration under Article 10(4);

3. Where the manufacturer or person sells or uses foreign gas appliances without having undergone an inspection, in violation of the main clause of Article 39(1);

4. Where the manufacturer or person violates an order to recall, exchange, or refund and an order to disclose such fact under Article 40(2);

5. Where the manufacturer or person fails to mark matters that should be marked on gas appliances manufactured, in violation of Article 40(4).

Article 16Succession to effect of dispositions

Where a person succeeds to the status of a liquefied petroleum gas business operator under Article 12, he or she shall succeed to the effect of the suspension of business or the imposition of restrictions under Article 13 (including a penalty surcharge imposed in lieu of an order to suspend business or impose restrictions under Article 14) on the previous liquefied petroleum gas business operator, and where the procedures for the disposition are being performed, such procedures may be taken in relation to the person who succeeds to the status; provided, this shall not apply where the person who succeeds to the status (excluding a person who succeeds to the status by inheritance) proves that he or she is unaware of such disposition or offense when he or she succeeds to the status.

Article 17Registration of liquefied petroleum gas export or import business

(1) Any person who intends to conduct liquefied petroleum gas export or import business shall file for registration with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources, as prescribed by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources; provided, the foregoing shall not apply where he or she falls under any of the subparagraphs of Article 9(1) of the Petroleum and Alternative Fuel Business Act. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>(2) Where a person who has filed for registration under paragraph (1) intends to modify any matters prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as the capacity of a liquefied petroleum gas storage facility, among matters registered, the person shall file for registration of such modification with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>(3) Requirements for registration of liquefied petroleum gas export or import business under paragraph (1), such as facility standards, shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.

(4) Articles 7, 12, and 16 shall apply mutatis mutandis to grounds for disqualification, succession to the status, and succession to the effect of disposition for liquefied petroleum gas exporters or importers. In such cases, "liquefied petroleum gas business operator" shall be construed as "liquefied petroleum gas exporter or importer", "Article 13" and "permission or registration" in subparagraph 5 of Article 7 shall be construed as "Article 21" and "registration", respectively.

Article 18Conditional registration

(1) A person who intends to file for registration under Article 17 may file an application for conditional registration with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources on condition that the person shall be equipped with the facilities specified in requirements for registration within the period prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>(2) The Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources in receipt of an application for conditional registration under paragraph (1) shall examine the application and notify the applicant of the decision on whether to grant the conditional registration within the period prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>(3) Where a person who has been conditionally registered under paragraph (2) files an application for registration under Article 17, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources shall accept registration after verifying whether the application for registration meets requirements for registration. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>(4) Where a person who has obtained conditional registration under paragraph (2) fails to be equipped with the facilities specified in requirements for registration within a period under paragraph (1) without good cause, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources shall revoke the conditional registration. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>(5) The criteria for conditional registration and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 19Reporting of commencement, suspension, and closure of business

(1) A liquefied petroleum gas exporter or importer shall commence business within the period prescribed by Presidential Decree from the date on which the exporter or importer obtains registration under Article 17.

(2) Where a liquefied petroleum gas exporter or importer commences its business or closes it temporarily or permanently, the exporter or importer shall, as prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, report thereon to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>(3) Where the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources receives a report under paragraph (2), the Minister shall examine the details thereof and accept the report if it complies with this Act. <Added on Feb. 13, 2022; Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 20Obligation to stockpile liquefied petroleum gas

(1) For the stabilization of the supply of and demand for liquefied petroleum gas and its prices, liquefied petroleum gas exporters or importers shall stockpile liquefied petroleum gas, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.

(2) A liquefied petroleum gas exporter or importer may have a person who meets requirements prescribed by Presidential Decree, such as facility standards, perform his or her obligation to stockpile liquefied petroleum gas under paragraph (1) on his or her behalf.

Article 21Revocation of registration

(1) Where a liquefied petroleum gas exporter or importer falls under any of the following, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources shall revoke the registration of such liquefied petroleum gas exporter or importer: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>1. Where he or she obtains registration under Article 17(1) by fraud or other improper means;

2. Where he or she closes liquefied petroleum gas export or import business permanently;

3. Where he or she fails to commence business within the period prescribed under Article 19(1) or fails to perform liquefied petroleum gas export or import business for at least one year after the commencement of his or her business without good cause;

4. Where he or she falls under any of the grounds for disqualification under the subparagraphs of Article 7 (excluding a corporation that replaces its representative by a representative who has no grounds for disqualification within six months).

(2) Where a liquefied petroleum gas exporter or importer falls under any of the following, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources may revoke the registration of such liquefied petroleum gas exporter or importer, or order him or her to fully or partially suspend business for a fixed period not exceeding six months: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>1. Where he or she fails to meet any requirement for registration under Article 17(3);

2. Where he or she violates the obligation to stockpile liquefied petroleum gas under Article 20;

3. Where he or she sells or delivers liquefied petroleum gas falling short of quality standards, or stores, transports, or keeps such liquefied petroleum gas for sale or delivery, in violation of Article 26(3);

4. Where he or she sells or delivers liquefied petroleum gas which has not undergone quality inspections under Article 27(1), or refuses, interferes with, or evades a quality inspection under paragraph (2) of that Article;

5. Where he or she refuses, interferes with, or evades an inspection under Article 55(1);

6. Where he or she violates an order under Article 21(1) of the Petroleum and Alternative Fuel Business Act applied mutatis mutandis under Article 64(2) or measures under Article 22(1) of that Act;

7. Where he or she commits any act prohibited under Article 39 of the Petroleum and Alternative Fuel Business Act.

(3) The standards for dispositions for violations under paragraph (2) shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>(4) Where any person ordered to suspend business under paragraph (2) continues to conduct his or her business during the period of suspension, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources shall revoke the registration of liquefied petroleum gas export or import business or order him or her to close his or her place of business. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>

Article 22Penalty surcharges

(1) Where a liquefied petroleum gas exporter or importer falls under any of Article 21(2)3 through 7, but the suspension of business is likely to cause serious inconvenience to consumers or harm to the public interest, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources may impose a penalty surcharge not exceeding 2 billion won on him or her, in lieu of such suspension. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>(2) Where a liquefied petroleum gas exporter or importer fails to meet requirements for registration under Article 17(3), but the suspension of business is likely to cause serious inconvenience to consumers or harm to the public interest, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources may impose a penalty surcharge of not more than the amount equivalent to the exports or imports of liquefied petroleum gas during the period in which he or she fails to meet any requirement for registration on him or her, in lieu of suspension of business under Article 21(2). <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>(3) Where a liquefied petroleum gas exporter or importer fails to fulfill his or her stockholding obligation under Article 20, but the suspension of business is likely to cause serious inconvenience to consumers or harm to the public interest, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources may impose a penalty surcharge of not more than the amount equivalent to the quantity less than the quantity of obligatory liquefied petroleum gas reserves during the period in which he or she fails to perform his or her stockholding obligation in lieu of the suspension of business under Article 21(2). <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>(4) Types of offenses on which penalty surcharges are imposed under paragraph (1), amounts of penalty surcharges based on the degree of offenses, methods of calculation of penalty surcharges under paragraphs (2) and (3), and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Decree of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>(5) Where any person liable to pay a penalty surcharge under paragraphs (1) through (3) fails to pay the penalty surcharge by the payment deadline, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Resources shall collect the penalty surcharge in the same manner as delinquent national taxes are collected, or revoke the disposition of imposition of the penalty surcharge under paragraphs (1) through (3) and impose the disposition of the suspension of liquefied petroleum gas export or import business under Article 21(2). <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>(6) Amounts imposed and collected pursuant to paragraphs (1) through (3) shall be vested in special accounts for energy and resources-related projects under the Act on the Special Accounts for Energy and Resources-Related Projects.