Compare every Korea entry structure
Plan A, Plan B, Korea Branch, and Korea Subsidiary — side-by-side across sovereignty, compliance, channel access, and exit rights.
Four ways to enter Korea.
From light validation to full local independence.
Brands may begin at A, B, C, or D depending on category, compliance burden, certainty, and expansion intent.
Not every brand should begin with testing. Some may validate demand first, while others may enter directly through local proxy operations, a branch, or a subsidiary.
Plan A
Limited 1–3 month validation track
- Early, time-boxed validation before local commitment
- Direct cross-border shipping with no local inventory
Optional validation path. Not the default long-term operating model.
Plan B
Compliant local selling without entity setup
- Local customs, labeling, and fulfillment handled
- Transparent pass-through costs, no distributor markup
Operate locally through Konivo's compliant infrastructure.
Plan C
Fast local presence via branch structure
- Branch-oriented tax, payroll, and compliance support
- Structured path from proxy operations to branch
Faster operational independence without a fully capitalized subsidiary.
Plan D
Full local entity for long-term expansion
- Full subsidiary for hiring, partnerships, and investment
- Highest local independence and operating control
Full institutional presence with complete local governance.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Feature | Plan A — Optional Validation | Plan B — Local Proxy Operations | Plan C — Korea Branch | Plan D — Korea Subsidiary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Structure | No Korean entity | No Korean entity | Korea Branch | Korea Subsidiary |
| Operating Model | Cross-border direct shipping | Local proxy via Konivo infrastructure | Branch-structured local presence | Fully independent local operations |
| Best For | Testing demand before committing | Local selling without entity setup | Faster operational independence | Long-term institutional presence |
| Setup Required | None — no local registration | Low — Konivo handles compliance & fulfillment | Medium — branch registration + partner support | Full — subsidiary incorporation + governance |
| Inventory Model | No local inventory | Local fulfillment via Konivo infrastructure | Local operations under branch | Fully independent local operations |
| Compliance Scope | Limited, depending on product/category | Managed through Konivo structure | Local tax, payroll, and compliance via partner | Full local entity governance |
| Cost Structure | No separate platform fee during validation | Transparent pass-through + operating fees | Entity setup + ongoing compliance | Entity setup + independent operations |
| Operational Independence | Low | Medium | High | Highest |
*Final structure is confirmed after an operating review based on category, certainty, compliance burden, and expansion intent.