South Korea

I'm being recorded by CCTV. Is this legal.

PIPA Art. 45

Main statute

≥30 cm sign

Signage size

180 days

Max retention

No restrooms

Prohibited areas

The Short Answer

Yes, CCTV recording is legal in South Korea if it’s in public or semi-public areas and complies with the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) — including proper signage and purpose limitation.

What the Law Says

South Korean law permits CCTV use under strict conditions to protect personal information and privacy.

The Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) governs CCTV use in South Korea. It requires that CCTV be installed only for legitimate, specified purposes — such as crime prevention or facility safety — and prohibits installation in places where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy, like restrooms, changing rooms, or dormitory sleeping areas.

Operators must post clear, visible signs before entering the monitored area. The sign must be at least 30 cm × 30 cm, written in Korean, and include: (1) the fact that CCTV is operating, (2) the purpose of collection, (3) the retention period (not exceeding 180 days unless otherwise required by law), and (4) the name and contact details of the operator.

Recordings must be securely stored and deleted after the legally permitted retention period. Unauthorized access, alteration, or use of footage for purposes beyond those originally stated is prohibited.

Statutory Text
A personal information handler who installs and operates closed-circuit television (CCTV) shall notify the data subject of the installation and operation of the CCTV in advance.
— Personal Information Protection Act, Art. 45 — Installation and Operation of CCTV

Statutory Text
The notification under Paragraph 1 shall be made by posting a sign in a visible location… the sign shall be no smaller than 30 centimeters in height and width.
— Enforcement Decree of the Personal Information Protection Act, Art. 47-2 — Method of Notification

Statutory Text
Recordings captured by CCTV shall be retained for no longer than 180 days from the date of collection, unless otherwise prescribed by other laws.
— Enforcement Decree of the Personal Information Protection Act, Art. 47-3 — Retention Period

What to Do

Check for a visible 30 cm × 30 cm sign stating CCTV use, purpose, retention period, and operator contact.

Avoid areas marked as CCTV-prohibited (e.g., restrooms, fitting rooms, dorm bedrooms).

If you suspect illegal use (e.g., hidden cameras, no signage, excessive retention), file a complaint with the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC).

Request access to or deletion of your image from CCTV footage if it was collected unlawfully or beyond the stated purpose.

Sources

statutePersonal Information Protection Act, Art. 45 — Installation and Operation of CCTV statuteEnforcement Decree of the Personal Information Protection Act, Art. 47-2 — Method of Notification statuteEnforcement Decree of the Personal Information Protection Act, Art. 47-3 — Retention Period

Same Question, Other Jurisdictions

Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.