Education institutions & qualification registration
Registration application for reading rooms and preliminary review of registration eligibility for study cafes
A study cafe usually starts as a space rental business or a rest restaurant (cafe-type food service business), but if it assigns fixed seats and operates the whole space exclusively for study, it may be judged to be a reading room (dokseosil) in substance. A reading room must be registered with the district office of education under the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Private Teaching Institutes and Extracurricular Lessons (the Private Teaching Institutes Act). The signboard and the way of operation determine which statute applies, so decide the operating model before starting the business.
Procedure
- Registration Difficulty Medium
The authority checks whether the statutory registration requirements, such as facilities, staff and capital, are met before issuing a registration certificate. Registration can be refused if the requirements are not met.
We will prepare the reading room registration documents and operating principles. Study Cafe will first review whether it is eligible for registration based on its actual operation type and building use.
Scope & fee
- Reading room registration
- We will review the location, facilities, and operation data of 1 reading room and prepare operating principles and registration application documents. It does not include facility construction, firefighting technology books, or actual business operations. Scope of writing: Reading room operation principles, 1 type, 5 pages per page. 1 office visit is included.
- Study cafe preliminary assessment
- We will review the actual operation mode and building use and facility data of 1 study cafe to guide you on whether or not it is eligible for registration as a reading room. This type does not include the actual reading room registration application. 1 office visit is included.
1. Decide the operating model
If the business assigns fixed seats, relies mainly on period passes and operates the space exclusively for study, it is highly likely to be regarded as subject to reading room registration. If it relies mainly on beverage sales and open seating, it can be operated as a study cafe. Also decide at this point whether to use the name 'reading room' (dokseosil) on the signboard.
2. Check the building use
Check in the building register whether the use of the floor concerned is a neighborhood living facility or an education and research facility, where a reading room can be located. If the use does not match, a change of use is needed first.
3. Check the facility standards
Check facility standards such as illuminance on the desk surface and separate toilets for men and women. Detailed standards differ under city/province (si/do) ordinances, so follow the standards of the competent district office of education.
4. Fire safety check and registration application
Registration is rejected if fire extinguishers, detectors, sprinklers and emergency exits are not in place. After meeting the fire safety requirements, apply to the competent district office of education for reading room registration.
Required documents
- Application for reading room registration
- Building register; floor plan of the facility
- Lease agreement
- Documents related to the certificate of completion of fire-fighting facilities
- Identity documents of the founder or operator
Fees
The registration fee is paid separately under the standards of the office of education. Our office fee starts from the amount shown above and may vary depending on whether a change of use or fire safety supplementation is needed; we will give you an exact quote after reviewing your documents.
Legal basis and review date
- Act on the Establishment and Operation of Private Teaching Institutes and Extracurricular Lessons, Article 2
- Act on the Establishment and Operation of Private Teaching Institutes and Extracurricular Lessons, Article 6
- Act on the Establishment and Operation of Private Teaching Institutes and Extracurricular Lessons, Article 8
- Act on the Establishment and Operation of Private Teaching Institutes and Extracurricular Lessons, Article 22
- Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Private Teaching Institutes and Extracurricular Lessons, Article 2
- Enforcement Decree of the Building Act, attached Table 1
Check these first
- Decide the operating model and the building use before interior construction so that the work does not have to be redone.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a study cafe and a reading room?
Does a study cafe also have to register with the office of education?
Why is reading room registration rejected?
Where can the reading room facility standards be checked?
Contact us
Hwang Yunsang Administrative Office in Songdo, Incheon prepares and submits administrative documents and explains the procedure. If your situation is similar, send us a message.
📍 2697, 26F POSCO Tower-Songdo, 165 Convensia-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, Republic of Korea · 📞 010-3374-2687 · 🌐 hwangadmin.com
This guide is general information based on public sources. Requirements, documents and deadlines differ by case and by the competent agency, so please confirm them before you proceed.