Consular authentication, refers to a consular practice ensuring authenticity of the very last signature and the seal affixed to a document related to the application from a natural person, legal person or other organization. The purpose of consular authentication is to ensure that notarial deeds issued in one country have due legal effect and can be acknowledged by the relevant authorities in another country with no question as to their authenticity.
Documents to be used in China should be notarized first by a local Notary Public and then authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea before being submitted to the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General for authentication.
Documents intended to be used in Hong Kong SAR or Macao SAR do NOT need authentication by the Chinese Embassy/Consulate General. However they need to be duly apostilled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Justice of Korea.