Is Consent for the Shared Use of Administrative Information Optional for E-Petitions? Does it Waive the Submission of Supporting Documents? Released

Yes, your understanding is correct. When applying for an e-petition (electronic civil petition), providing consent for the Shared Use of Administrative Information is optional. However, granting this consent allows you to be exempt from submitting various unnecessary supporting documents.

Statutory Basis and Purpose

This system is established under Article 36 of the Electronic Government Act. Its primary purpose is to enhance public convenience and administrative efficiency. In the past, petitioners were required to manually obtain and submit documents—such as business registration certificates or corporate registries—even if the government already possessed that information or could verify it through other agencies.

Key Benefits of Information Sharing

The shared use of administrative information is a core function designed to resolve such inconveniences and shorten processing times. By linking government systems, the need for petitioners to directly submit the following documents is eliminated:

• Business Registration Certificate: Proves basic identity and business type.
• Certificate of Corporate Registry: Contains legally binding information such as establishment, address, and representatives.
• Certificate of Business Closure: Required for specific administrative processes to verify the status of a business.

Privacy and the Right to Choose

Despite the convenience, the shared use of information is provided as an optional choice for the petitioner, in accordance with the principles of personal information protection and the right to informational self-determination. You have the right to refuse the sharing of your data. If you choose not to consent, you must manually issue, attach, and submit the required supporting documents yourself.

Professional Perspective: Application in Customs Trade

From the perspective of a Customs Broker, this system is exceptionally useful within various customs administrative services. Significant portions of the documentation required by the Korea Customs Service can be streamlined through inter-agency data linkage, including:

• Import/Export Clearance applications.
• Bonded Area installation and operation patents.
• AEO (Authorized Economic Operator) certification applications.

By utilizing this system, companies can save the time and costs associated with document issuance, while the Customs Service achieves higher administrative efficiency and faster processing times.

Conclusion

In conclusion, consenting to the shared use of administrative information is a highly efficient way to maximize petitioner convenience and simplify procedures. Unless there is a specific reason to withhold consent, we strongly recommend opting in to avoid the hassle of unnecessary document submission and to experience a more streamlined electronic petition service.