Gabia files sole ICANN bid for new .HAN top-level domain
If approved, Gabia would operate .HAN as an open domain anyone can register, with final approval and registration estimated at two to three years.
Gabia announced on 22 October 2026 that it has applied solely to ICANN for the new generic top-level domain '.HAN', according to datanet.co.kr. If the application is finally approved, Gabia will become the registry operating the entire top-level domain.
Gabia said it plans to run '.HAN' as an open domain that anyone can register, rather than a restricted one. The company expects ICANN's final approval and official internet registration to take about two to three years.
Because Gabia was the only applicant for '.HAN', no auction between multiple applicants will be held. ICANN reviews the applied-for domain names and the applicants' eligibility, and collects opinions from governments and stakeholders before deciding.
The application window ran from 30 April to 12 August 2026, and 481 companies and organizations submitted about 1,600 applications worldwide. It was ICANN's first intake of new gTLD applications in 14 years, since 2012.
Existing Korean domains
KISA operates the '.kr' country-code domain, while the '.com' domain is run by US-based Verisign. The Korean government introduced 'HanStyle' in 2007 as an integrated brand covering traditional Korean culture.
Quick answers
What is the .HAN top-level domain?
It is a proposed new generic top-level domain that Gabia has applied to ICANN to operate, intended to be open for anyone to register if approved.
When could .HAN become available?
Gabia expects ICANN's final approval and official internet registration to take about two to three years.
Will there be an auction for .HAN?
No. Gabia was the sole applicant for '.HAN', so no auction between multiple applicants will be held.