How to File an Objection to a Non-Disclosure Decision on an Information Disclosure Request — The 30-Day Deadline and Administrative Appeal

Procedure

1. 1. Specify the information requested

   File the request with the public institution that holds and manages the information, stating the requester's personal details, the content of the information requested and the method of disclosure. Stating specific clues for locating the information, such as the document title, the time it was prepared and the department in charge, reduces requests for supplementation.

2. 2. Check the notice of decision

   The institution decides whether to disclose within 10 days, and if it extends the period, it must give written notice of the extension and the reason. A notice of a non-disclosure decision must state which of the subparagraphs of Article 9, paragraph (1) of the Official Information Disclosure Act applies and how to contest the decision. Check the subparagraph number cited in the notice as the ground for non-disclosure.

3. 3. Review the grounds for non-disclosure

   Grounds for non-disclosure are limited to those listed in the Act, such as secrets under laws and regulations, national security, ongoing trials and investigations, decision-making processes, personal information, and management and trade secrets. Even within personal information, the names and positions of public officials who performed their duties, and information whose disclosure is necessary for the remedy of rights, are excluded from non-disclosure. If the part subject to non-disclosure can be separated from the part that can be disclosed, the institution must disclose the rest.

4. 4. File an objection within 30 days

   File an objection in writing with the institution within 30 days from the date you received the notice of decision. State why the ground for non-disclosure in the notice does not apply and which parts can be disclosed with some portions redacted. The institution decides within 7 days from the date it receives the objection, and may extend this by up to 7 days when unavoidable.

5. 5. File an administrative appeal

   If the objection is dismissed without review or rejected on the merits, you can file an administrative appeal, and you can also file one directly without going through an objection. An administrative appeal is filed within 90 days from the date you became aware of the disposition and within 180 days from the date of the disposition.

Required documents

• Copy of the information disclosure request form (to confirm the content of the request)
• Notice of the non-disclosure or partial disclosure decision
• Objection form for an information disclosure decision
• Materials showing that the grounds for non-disclosure do not apply (relevant laws and regulations, similar materials already disclosed, etc.)
• Materials showing that the requested information is necessary for the remedy of rights
• Letter of authorization (when submitted by an agent)

Fees

Drafting an information disclosure request form starts from 80,000 won and drafting an information disclosure objection form starts from 150,000 won, and we will advise you on the fee after reviewing the case in a consultation. The request itself is free, and the actual costs of copies, printouts and postage are borne by the requester.

See fees and official charges for this service →

Legal basis and review date

• Official Information Disclosure Act, Article 9
• Official Information Disclosure Act, Article 10
• Official Information Disclosure Act, Article 11
• Official Information Disclosure Act, Article 13
• Official Information Disclosure Act, Article 14
• Official Information Disclosure Act, Article 18
• Official Information Disclosure Act, Article 19
• Official Information Disclosure Act, Article 21
• Administrative Appeals Act, Article 27

Checked against the statutes on 2026-10-04

Statutes and public notices change, so each case needs to be checked individually. Statute titles are given in English for reference. The Korean statutes are the authoritative text.

Check these first

• The 30-day deadline for an objection is counted from the date you received the notice of decision, so record the date you received the notice.
• Grounds for non-disclosure must be examined for each subparagraph cited in the notice, so keep the original notice.

Frequently asked questions