.kr Domain Names
17 registrars compared — cheapest from $21.99 at GoDaddy
Delegated in 1986, .kr serves as South Korea's country-code domain, managed by the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) and restricted to those with a local presence.
| # | Registrar | Registration | Renewal | Transfer | 5-Year Cost | 10-Year Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GoDaddy Cheapest | $21.99 | $21.99 | $21.99 | $109.95 | $219.90 | Visit |
| 2 | Epik | $24.95 | $24.95 | $24.95 | $124.75 | $249.50 | Visit |
| 3 | Squarespace | $30.00 | $30.00 | $30.00 | $150.00 | $300.00 | Visit |
| 4 | Gname | $35.00 | $35.00 | $35.00 | $175.00 | $350.00 | Visit |
| 5 | Regery | $37.99 | $37.99 | $37.99 | $189.95 | $379.90 | Visit |
| 6 | Netim | $38.00 | $38.00 | $30.50 | $190.00 | $380.00 | Visit |
| 7 | MrDomain | $41.01 | $41.01 | $41.01 | $205.05 | $410.10 | Visit |
| 8 | Blacknight | $41.05 | $41.05 | $41.05 | $205.25 | $410.50 | Visit |
| 9 | INWX | $46.80 | $46.80 | $46.80 | $234.00 | $468.00 | Visit |
| 10 | Marcaria | $48.00 | $48.00 | $48.00 | $240.00 | $480.00 | Visit |
| 11 | 101domain | $52.49 | $65.99 | $52.49 | $316.45 | $646.40 | Visit |
| 12 | Directnic | $52.49 | $65.99 | $52.49 | $316.45 | $646.40 | Visit |
| 13 | OnlyDomains | $65.99 | $74.49 | $24.30 | $363.95 | $736.40 | Visit |
| 14 | Regtons | $68.00 | $68.00 | $68.00 | $340.00 | $680.00 | Visit |
| 15 | Sav | $68.00 | $68.00 | $68.00 | $340.00 | $680.00 | Visit |
| 16 | Gandi | $73.15 | $143.98 | $61.98 | $649.07 | $1368.97 | Visit |
| 17 | EuroDNS | $175.05 | $175.05 | $175.05 | $875.25 | $1750.50 | Visit |
Prices updated daily. Some registrars show promotional first-year prices. Always verify the final price on the registrar's website before purchasing.
A Local Presence Requirement Keeps .kr Korean
Unlike many ccTLDs that sell to anyone with a credit card, .kr demands a local touch. Registrants must have a presence within South Korea, a rule KISA enforces to keep the namespace tied to the country. This isn't just bureaucratic—it shapes who can grab a .kr name and why. For businesses or individuals with Korean ties, the restriction adds a layer of authenticity, while outsiders face a hurdle that often pushes them toward .com or regional neighbors like .cn. The rule also means the domain pool stays dominated by domestic entities, preserving a distinctly Korean flavor across the web.
Under KISA's Stewardship: Security and Stability
KISA, the Korea Internet & Security Agency, has run .kr since its inception, a tenure that brings both technical heft and national oversight. The registry supports IDN—internationalized domain names—allowing Korean script in addresses, a feature documented in the .kr Wikipedia entry. This matters in a country where Hangul is the norm. The agency's dual role in cybersecurity and internet governance means .kr isn't just a registry; it's part of South Korea's digital infrastructure. WHOIS lookups route through whois.kr, and the registry website at krnic.or.kr offers a direct channel for management. For registrants, KISA's stability is a quiet selling point—no privatization scares, no offshore ownership.
The Second-Level Taxonomy That Gives .kr Its Structure
South Korea's namespace extends beyond plain .kr. You'll see second-level domains like .co.kr and .or.kr, each with its own intended purpose—commercial, non-profit, and more. The restrictions vary depending on which second-level name you choose, as the parent .kr Wikipedia article notes. This structure mirrors patterns in Japan and China, where sub-domains signal organizational type. For a foreigner, registering just .kr is one thing; navigating .co.kr's commercial tag is another. The hierarchy adds nuance that a flat domain like .in lacks, giving Korean web addresses a built-in taxonomy.