Youth Hostel (Youth Training Facility) Installation and Operation Permit and Registration — 45-Day Permit, 2.4㎡ per Guest, Operating Representative Qualifications

Procedure

1. 1. Confirm the facility type and location

   First decide the facility type: a youth hostel if it is mainly lodging for traveling youth, or a youth training center if lodging is combined with training programs. The hostel business under the Tourism Promotion Act has a different legal basis and different standards, so decide which system to use first. A youth hostel must be located where youth can conveniently use it while traveling, such as near scenic or historic sites, and there must be no business harmful to youth in the same building and no adult entertainment bar or similar facility within a straight-line distance of 50 meters.

2. 2. Prepare the installation and operation plan to meet facility standards

   Guest rooms must provide at least 2.4㎡ per guest and cannot be located in a basement; each room holds 10 people or fewer, the total capacity of rooms for two or fewer may not exceed 40/100 of total lodging capacity, and the total capacity of family rooms may not exceed 30/100. The self-catering kitchen needs at least 1 cooking set per 50 guests (it may be capped at 5 sets), and the hostel must have a lounge and information room, at least 1 rest room and 1 instructors' room, heating, emergency lighting and emergency water supply, a broadcasting system and storage facilities. The installation and operation plan includes a location map, land statement, site layout plan, floor plans and room area tables, funding plan, construction schedule, environmental pollution prevention measures, youth instructor placement plan, operating rules and annual operating budget.

3. 3. Submit the installation and operation permit application

   Submit the permit application to the competent city, county or district office with the installation and operation plan, documents needed for consultation on deemed permits such as development activity, farmland conversion and mountain land conversion permits, and proof of ownership of or the right to use the real estate. The office processes it within 45 days of receipt, and if some facility areas or quantities fall short but can be supplemented before registration, it may grant a conditional permit. If installation or operation does not start within 1 year of the permit without a justifiable reason, the permit may be revoked, so the construction schedule should be aligned.

4. 4. Register the training facility after completion

   Before operating, submit the registration application with the facility list by type, operating plan, floor plans and layout, the list of youth instructors and copies of their certificates, proof of the operating representative's qualifications, copies of permits or reports under other laws, and a city gas completion inspection certificate where applicable. The office checks that the facility matches the permit and issues a registration certificate, and reports for general and rest restaurants and installation of a group meal service facility that were consulted on at registration are deemed filed. A youth hostel must have at least 1 youth instructor, and if lodging capacity exceeds 500, at least 1 additional grade 1 or grade 2 youth instructor.

5. 5. Appoint an operating representative, take out insurance and meet ongoing duties

   The operating representative is chosen from among persons such as a grade 1 youth instructor, a grade 2 youth instructor with at least 3 years in youth development work, a grade 3 youth instructor with at least 5 years, a certified regular teacher with at least 5 years, or a person with at least 8 years in youth development work. Insurance covering damage to the life and body of participants and users is mandatory, and the death benefit must be at least 150,000,000 won. During operation, conduct and record facility safety inspections at least once a month, provide staff training on operation, safety and hygiene at least once a year, and file a change registration when important registered matters change.

Required documents

• Application for permit to install and operate a youth training facility (Enforcement Rule of the Youth Activity Promotion Act, Form No. 7)
• Installation and operation plan (including location map, land statement, site layout plan, floor plans, funding plan and operating plan; Annex 2 of the same Rule)
• Documents needed for consultation on deemed permits such as development activity, farmland conversion and mountain land conversion (if applicable)
• Proof of ownership of or right to use the real estate
• Youth training facility registration application (Form No. 8 of the same Rule, after completion)
• Youth training facility list by type (Form No. 9 of the same Rule)
• List of youth instructors with copies of certificates, and proof of the operating representative's qualifications
• Copies of permits or reports under other laws and a city gas completion inspection certificate (if applicable)
• Letter of authorization (when filed by an agent)

Fees

Typically in the range of several hundred thousand won in the industry · quoted after consultation depending on whether only the permit or also registration is handled and how many deemed permits require consultation. Government fees (permit 25,000 won, registration 22,000 won) and design, construction and insurance costs are separate.

See fees and official charges for this service →

Legal basis and review date

• Youth Activity Promotion Act, Article 10
• Youth Activity Promotion Act, Article 11
• Youth Activity Promotion Act, Article 12
• Youth Activity Promotion Act, Article 13
• Youth Activity Promotion Act, Article 14
• Youth Activity Promotion Act, Article 15
• Youth Activity Promotion Act, Article 19
• Youth Activity Promotion Act, Article 22
• Youth Activity Promotion Act, Article 25
• Youth Activity Promotion Act, Article 33
• Youth Activity Promotion Act, Article 70
• Youth Activity Promotion Act, Article 72
• Enforcement Decree of the Youth Activity Promotion Act, Article 5
• Enforcement Decree of the Youth Activity Promotion Act, Article 6
• Enforcement Decree of the Youth Activity Promotion Act, Article 7
• Enforcement Decree of the Youth Activity Promotion Act, Article 8
• Enforcement Decree of the Youth Activity Promotion Act, Article 13
• Enforcement Decree of the Youth Activity Promotion Act, Annex 1
• Enforcement Rule of the Youth Activity Promotion Act, Article 2
• Enforcement Rule of the Youth Activity Promotion Act, Article 4
• Enforcement Rule of the Youth Activity Promotion Act, Article 5
• Enforcement Rule of the Youth Activity Promotion Act, Annex 2
• Enforcement Rule of the Youth Activity Promotion Act, Annex 3
• Enforcement Rule of the Youth Activity Promotion Act, Annex 9
• Enforcement Rule of the Youth Activity Promotion Act, Form No. 7
• Enforcement Rule of the Youth Activity Promotion Act, Form No. 8
• Framework Act on Juveniles, Article 23
• Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on Juveniles, Annex 5

Checked against the statutes on 2026-10-12

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

• If installation or operation does not start within 1 year of the permit without a justifiable reason, or registration is not made within the period set by the city, county or district office, the permit may be revoked.
• Failing to appoint an operating representative, failing to take out insurance and operating without registration are each subject to an administrative fine of up to 3,000,000 won, so confirm the appointment, insurance and registration certificate before opening.

Frequently asked questions