The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced official guidelines specifying required formats and content for art appraisal certificates that evaluate the authenticity and value of artworks. The rules stem from the Art Promotion Act enacted last July, which limits issuance of such certificates to registered appraisers. A report by SBS News outlined how the guidelines seek to bring greater structure to transactions in a sector where disputes over genuineness have persisted.
Two categories of certificates exist under the framework detailed by the ministry. Authenticity appraisal certificates deliver professional judgments on whether works are genuine while price appraisal certificates quantify artistic, cultural and historical value in financial terms. The ministry stressed that only registered professionals hold authorization to produce these documents, with the system applying across the art ecosystem.
Penalties for noncompliance are clearly defined in the ministry announcement. Individuals issuing certificates without proper registration face fines of up to 5 million won. Appraisers who deviate from the approved format may encounter administrative sanctions that include orders to cease operations.
A grace period extends through July 25 of next year before full enforcement of penalties, the ministry stated. During this interval neither fines nor business closures will be imposed to facilitate smooth adoption by the industry. The ministry simultaneously published a standard template for authenticity certificates that artists or art service providers can issue to confirm a work’s genuineness and the accuracy of accompanying details.
Market data illustrate the context in which the new rules arrive. A joint survey by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Arts Management Service found that domestic art transactions totaled 638.2 billion won in 2025, reflecting a 3.8 percent rise from the previous year although remaining below the 2022 high. The Korea Art Authentication and Appraisal Research Center reported that third-quarter auction sales at seven major houses fell 10.8 percent year on year to 27.97 billion won in 2026, with high-value lots particularly scarce.
Jeong Hyang-mi, who heads the Culture and Arts Policy Office at the ministry, addressed the significance of the standardized system. Jeong stated, “This announcement lays the foundation for the growth of South Korea’s art market by protecting art consumers and bringing transparency to the market.” The official added that the ministry would maintain ongoing support to standardize and systematize appraisals while advancing consumer protections.
