LG Energy Solution (373220.KS) and Haecheon Chemical have become the first companies to receive patents under Korea's new "ultra-fast patent examination" system, designed to support domestic companies' overseas exports.
The Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) announced Wednesday that LG Energy Solution was selected as the first patent recipient in the "advanced technology" category, while Haecheon Chemical became the first in the "export promotion" category. KIPO completed examination of LG Energy Solution's patent for "electrode assembly and electrode assembly manufacturing device" in 19 days, and Haecheon Chemical's patent for "eco-friendly de-icing agent containing biomass" in 21 days.
The ultra-fast patent examination system was launched on October 15 this year, shortly after KIPO's reorganization. While KIPO previously offered expedited examination through its priority review system, that process took up to six months—two months for examination and four months for final registration. The new system reduces this to a maximum of two months, with one month each for examination and registration.
The system was established to help Korean advanced technology companies secure early positions in overseas markets and enable exporters to obtain patent rights quickly. From the system's launch through December 10, 128 applications were filed, with five receiving registration decisions. The average time from application to registration decision was 25.1 days.
LG Energy Solution's electrode assembly patent covers technology that enhances battery performance by enabling electrolyte to better permeate the separator and electrodes. The company holds core patents across the entire battery production process, including materials, electrode design, and manufacturing processes.
"KIPO's ultra-fast examination system has created a highway for domestic battery companies to secure premium patents that will be responsible for their future competitiveness," said Lee Han-sun, Executive Vice President and Head of Patent Group at LG Energy Solution.
Haecheon Chemical's eco-friendly de-icing agent patent prevents secondary damage such as acidification of vehicles and roads by blocking the generation of hydrochloric acid during the de-icing process.
KIPO, which was reorganized and expanded from the former Korean Intellectual Property Office under the Lee Jae-myung administration's policy to strengthen national intellectual property, is focusing on supporting domestic companies' overseas market entry and export expansion.
A key initiative was the establishment of the Intellectual Property Dispute Response Bureau to strengthen prevention and response to IP disputes. The bureau develops and implements national IP protection policies, including prevention of IP disputes with foreign companies and rapid national-level response when disputes occur.
KIPO has also expanded its budget to support small and medium-sized enterprises' overseas exports. The 2026 budget for nurturing global IP star companies was finalized at 15.5 billion won, an increase of 3.5 billion won from the previous year. The agency also plans to support various new programs to prevent foreign companies from infringing on domestic intellectual property.
"KIPO will continue to actively support our companies' export expansion by reducing examination periods and improving examination quality through systems like the ultra-fast examination," said Kim Yong-sun, Commissioner of KIPO.
