South Korea Mandates USB Type‑C Connector Standard for Mobile & Smart Devices

On 5 November 2025, South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) promulgated Notification No. 2025‑56, a formal technical standard governing how mobile and smart consumer devices must implement wired charging and data transmission interfaces when placed on the South Korean market. This standard builds on South Korea’s broader telecommunications and product conformity framework under the country’s radio communications and equipment certification system.

Core Requirement: USB Type‑C Receptacle Connector

Under this new technical standard:

• Beginning one year after the notice’s issuance — 5 November 2026 — certain categories of devices must be equipped with a USB Type‑C receptacle connector if they support wired charging or simultaneous wired charging and data transfer.

• The physical interface requirements — such as dimensional and connector form-factor specifications — are laid out in the notice’s annex and are aligned with internationally recognized standards, notably IEC/EN 62680‑1‑3 (USB‑C specification).

The MSIT notice clearly covers the following 13 categories of products:

1. Mobile phones (smartphones)

2. Tablets

3. Digital cameras

4. Headphones

5. Headsets

6. Portable game consoles

7. Portable speakers

8. E-book readers

9. Keyboards

10. Computer mice

11. Portable navigation devices

12. Earbuds and earphones

13. Laptops

Manufacturers and exporters targeting the South Korean market must ensure that all affected mobile and smart devices include a USB Type‑C receptacle connector by November 2026, align product designs and testing with the updated MSIT technical standard, integrate the connector requirements into conformity assessment submissions under the KC EMC framework, and carefully plan inventory and certification timelines to avoid market delays, while monitoring ongoing RRA guidance for any updates or adjustments to compliance procedures.