Standards and legal metrology are both the responsibility of the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards. With its roots in an 1883 establishment, KATS has existed in its present form as an agency of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE) since 1999.

Accreditation is split between three bodies. The Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (KOLAS) is responsible for the accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories. The Korea Accreditation Board (KAB) is responsible for the accreditation of certification bodies, alongside the Korean Accreditation System (KAS). KOLAS and KAS are part of KATS, while KAB is the sole accreditation body for certification programmes recognised by MOCIE.

Scientific metrology is the sole responsibility of the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science. KRISS was originally established in 1975, and since 2004 has been affiliated with the Korea Research Council of Public Science and Technology under the Ministry of Science and Technology.