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Korea's relatively complex indirect tax structure remains unchanged. It comprises a broad based VAT, individual consumption (special excise) taxes, and other taxes on liquor, property transactions (stamp tax), and securities transactions. There is also a transportation (energy-environment) tax, education tax, and special tax on rural development. Exports are generally exempt from indirect taxes, except mainly for individual consumption and transportation-energy-environment taxes applied to inputs of petroleum products used in their production, though the amount of paid tax is refundable or deductible. Exports are zero-rated for VAT.

(...) High-energy-consuming home appliances (e.g. air conditioners, refrigerators, televisions, and drum-type laundry machines) have been subject to a 5% rate of individual consumption tax (2010-2015). Individual consumption taxes also apply, in principle, to petroleum products other than petrol and diesel oil that are also subject to a transportation (energy environment) tax. Produced anthracite coal, a domestically produced item (Section 4.4.3), is not subject to this tax. (...)

The transportation-energy-environment tax law was amended in 2016. Under this third three-year extension of its sunset clause, the transportation-energy-environment tax continues to be levied on gasoline (₩475 per litre) and diesel oil (₩340 per litre) until end-2018 (instead of the individual consumption tax); its rates remain unchanged. As of 2016, the flexible transportation-energy-environment tax framework set on 21 May 2009 continued to apply to gasoline and diesel oil within a 30% range of the statutory tax rates, i.e. ₩529 per litre and ₩375 per litre, respectively. Conditional exemptions apply to petrol and diesel used in the manufacture of medical goods, fertilizers and petro chemicals, vehicles for disabled persons or rental usage. (...)

Korea imposes environmental waste charges on certain items that contain harmful substances and are difficult to recycle (Act on Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources). The charge is intended to ensure that manufacturers bear the cost of processing waste. It applies equally to imports and domestic goods.

(...) Investment in facilities for the purpose of environmental conservation made before end-2016 receive a 3% (up to 10% for SMEs) tax credit, which may be carried forward five years if unused.

A concessional income tax rate of 9% (8% in 2012) continues to apply to certain activities to enhance social welfare, including fisheries cooperative associations and the tobacco production association. A 50% tax exemption for forestry income remains in place. Interest income (up to ₩30 million) and partnership dividends (up to ₩10 million) are non-taxable for farmers and fishermen. Primary producers also continue to benefit from zero rating for VAT on machinery, fertilizer, and pesticides, and on fishing gear, including nets; and exemption of taxes on petroleum products used for auxiliary private power generation for island areas where it is impossible or difficult for a considerable period to supply electricity.

In line with Article 32 of the 2010 Low-Carbon, Green-Growth Framework Act measures to promote green certification entail: extending loans for the purpose of disseminating new renewable energy; (...)

(...) Grants, tax concessions or concessional loans continue to be used to assist a range of agricultural, forestry, fishing, coal mining, energy, environmental technology R&D, and environmental protection activities. (...)

(...) Korea operates subsidies, loans and tax incentive programmes for the deployment of new and renewable energy.

Patent protection under the Patent Act of 1946 (last amended in 2015) is for 20 years from the date of filing (extendable for up to five years for pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals undergoing certain market-approval procedures). Both product and process patents may be granted. The grace period for filing is twelve months, and the term of the patent right may be extended when its registration is delayed by more than four years after the filing date, or three years after request for examination when the reason is not attributable to the applicant. Green technology benefiting from government-supported R&D is allowed speedy screening/examination. (...)