help-me-register-my-domain.kr

March 4, 2008 10:48 AM

How do I register a .kr domain?

A .kr domain I'd really like is expiring tomorrow, so I'd like to register as soon as it's available. (It's not in use right now, and I don't expect it to be renewed.)

How do I do this? I've looked at the various .kr registration agents, but none of their websites contain enough English for me to find out if a) I can actually register a .kr domain as a non-South Korean resident, b) how to do this (fill in the forms, pay, done), c) how much it costs.

Anyone with the right language skills out there willing to help? Thanks!

posted by lodev to computers & internet (5 comments total)

top google hit for ".kr register"
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 10:51 AM on March 4

If you get into a squeeze, you may be able to post a job for this on rentacoder.com to get a Korean to help. They allow targeting of the job by geographic area.
posted by crapmatic at 10:51 AM on March 4

This site says "Beginning on April 19, 2006, anyone who has local presence in Korea can register .kr 2nd level (en) domain name in real time. If you do not have local presence, please contact to [e-mail]."

Some countries (e.g. Ireland) are pretty strict about domain registration being exclusion to national entities, to the point of revoking domain registration post-hoc if it's discovered being used by a foreign entity.

On Preview: EMRJKC '94 link also says, "Owner must have residence in South Korea." and

" If client does not meet above requirements, we will register the domain to the name of our representatives in South Korea and then we will make it available to the client. "

Sounds like you can circumvent the local requirements, but I'd check into it a bit more.
posted by Nelsormensch at 10:58 AM on March 4

@EMRJKC9:
That one does seem to work. It sure is pricey though, I've seen prices around $30 elsewhere (from what I could understand.)

@Nelsormensch: I stubled upon that site before, but clicking through to Gabia.com I got lost in a world of Korean.

I'll look into those two sites more though. Unless there's South Korean Mefites reading this who can make it all clearer..
posted by lodev at 11:56 AM on March 4

All of the resources I found (here and here, although in Korean) indicate that you have to be a resident. This is really because the registration of a .kr domain requires a national id number, like a social security number. If you're a resident non-Korean, then you can get an Alien Registration Card, which then gives you a number that acts as this national ID number.

So yeah - your best bet is probably to find someone who lives in Korea, foreign or not, and ask them to register it for you on a goodwill promise..
posted by suedehead at 8:06 PM on March 4