Court Orders Government to Pay ₩15 Million to ‘Busan Roundhouse Kick’ Victim

A Korean court has ruled that the State must compensate the victim of the notorious Busan “roundhouse kick” assault, finding investigative failures by authorities. — 🧾…

Calling a Coworker ‘Crazy’ Isn’t Workplace Bullying — If There’s No Power Imbalance, Court Says

A Korean court has ruled that even harsh insults between coworkers do not automatically qualify as workplace bullying if there is no hierarchical or relational superiority…

Married Military Prosecutor’s Romantic Confession to Junior Officer Upheld as Sexual Harassment — 3-Month Pay Cut Stands

A court has upheld disciplinary action against a married military prosecutor who expressed romantic feelings toward a junior female officer, ruling that a three-month salary reduction…

Found at a Convenience Store, Worn Like It Was His: Cartier Watch Case Ends in ₩1 Million Fine

A man who picked up a luxury watch left on a convenience store outdoor table and walked away wearing it has been convicted of misappropriation of…

Submitting Bank Account Data in Court Is Not Automatically a Privacy Crime — Supreme Court Clarifies Scope of ‘Recipient’ Under PIPA

Korea’s Supreme Court has ruled that submitting bank account information as part of court filings does not automatically constitute a violation of the Personal Information Protection…

Involuntary Psychiatric Admission in South Korea: A Procedural Guide

This guide explains Administrative Admission and Protective Admissionunder Korean mental health law, based on official procedures of theNational Center for Mental Health. It is written for…

Types of Sexual Offenses in South Korea: A Text-Based Flowchart

STEP 1. Was there any sexual act or sexual exploitation? Includes: Sexual intercourse Sexual touching Sexual exploitation, filming, or inducement Acts infringing sexual self-determination → NO➜…

Unleashed Greyhound Causes Fatal Bicycle Crash — Owner Sentenced to 1 Year 10 Months in Prison

A Korean court has sentenced a dog owner to prison after an unleashed greyhound ran into a cyclist, causing a crash that led to the cyclist’s…

Court Orders Telecom Company to Pay Damages After Leased Router Sparks Fatal Apartment Fire

<Case Summary> A Seoul apartment fire that killed a grandfather (70s) and his 7-year-old grandson was traced to an internet router installed inside the building’s entryway…

Misuse of Police Vehicles and Integrity Duties: Court Upholds One-Month Suspension for Repeated Private Use

<Case Brief> Court Seoul Administrative Court Division / Presiding Judge Administrative Division 6 Presiding Judge: Na Jin-yi Decision Date February 1, 2026 Case Number 2024Guhap83469 —…

No Weekends Off for Constitutional Rights: Korea’s Constitutional Court Strikes Down Ban on Lawyer Access for Detainees

<Case Summary> The Constitutional Court of Korea unanimously ruled that denying a pretrial detainee access to legal counsel on weekends or at night, when the purpose…

Former President Yoon Suk-yeol Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Leading Insurrection

A Korean court has sentenced former President Yoon Suk-yeol to life imprisonment for leading an insurrection related to the December 3 emergency martial law declaration. ⚖️…

[SAMPLE] Statement of Grounds for Appeal – Crime of Indecent Act on Incapacitated Person

항 소 이 유 서 Statement of Grounds for Appeal — 사      건 2000노1111  준강제추행 피  고  인 이 ○ ○ — Case No.2000No1111Indecent Act by…

[SAMPLE] Defense Counsel’s Written Opinion – Crime of Indecent Act in a Crowded Public Place

변호인 의견서 Defense Counsel’s Written Opinion — 사건  2000고정1111 성폭력범죄의처벌등에관한특례법위반(공중밀집장소에서의 추행)Case: 2000Gojung1111 Violation of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes…

Hiring by Unwritten Rules: Court Upholds One-Month Suspension for Preferential Recruitment

<Case Summary> Court & Date Seoul Administrative Court (Administrative Division 8), decision dated November 19, 2025 Key Issue Whether disciplining a senior official for applying undisclosed…

Supreme Court: Merely Notifying Tenants of ‘Priority Interests’ Alone Does Not Discharge a Broker’s Duty of Care

<Case Summary> The Supreme Court of Korea held that a real estate broker cannot be relieved of liability merely by mentioning that priority leasehold interests ‘exist,’…

Supreme Court of Korea: Mere Anxiety After Data Breach Is Not Compensable Damage

<Case Summary> The Supreme Court of Korea held that mere psychological anxiety resulting from a data breach does not constitute compensable damage under the Personal Information…

Helped Illegal Migrants Escape and Injured an Officer, Yet Avoided Prison: Why the Court Chose a Suspended Sentence

🔍 Case at a Glance Who – A 66-year-old factory official (identified as “A”) – A 34-year-old immigration enforcement officer (identified as “B”) What Happened Immigration…

Posting a Child Thief’s Photo Backfired: Store Owner Fined for Emotional Abuse and Defamation

🔍 Case Overview Who Store owner A, operator of an unmanned ice cream shop in Incheon. Child B, an elementary school student (8 years old at…

[SAMPLE] Application for Appointment of Court-Appointed Counsel (aka Public Defender)

국선변호인 선정청구서 (Application for Appointment of Court-Appointed Counsel) 사건번호: 2022노1234 (Case No.: 2022No1234) 죄명: 폭행 (Charge: Assault) [피고인 정보 / Defendant Information] 성명: 스캇마이클 (Name: SCOTT…

[SAMPLE] Decision on Appointment of Interpreter and Translator (for non-Korean Defendants)

서울중앙지방법원 (Seoul Central District Court) 통역 및 번역인 지정결정 (Decision on Appointment of Interpreter and Translator) 사 건: 2022노1234 폭행 등 (Case No.: 2022No1234 / Charge:…

No Shortcut in Medical Practice: Doctor Sanctioned for Unauthorized Blood Collection

<Case Brief> Court Seoul Administrative CourtAdministrative Division 5 Presiding Judge Lee Jeong-won Case Number 2024Guhap88242 Decision Date February 2, 2026 Disposition – Plaintiff’s claim dismissed –…

Curfew Means Curfew: Supreme Court Tightens Interpretation of Ankle Monitor Restrictions

<Case Brief> Court Supreme Court of Korea Division / Presiding Justice Criminal Division 2 Presiding Justice: Park Young-jae Decision Date February 2, 2026 Disposition Reversed and…

From Defector to Drug Kingpin: Court Hands 23-Year Sentence to Southeast Asia–Based Meth Trafficker

🔍 Case Overview Defendant: A woman in her 30s, surnamed Choi. (A North Korean defector who fled to South Korea in 2011.) Core Crime Acted as…

False Rape Accusation Leads to Civil Liability: Court Orders ₩24.4 Million in Damages for Malicious Prosecution

<Case Snapshot> Court: Incheon District Court Bucheon Branch Decision Date: November 27, 2025 Type of Case: Civil damages following criminal conviction for false accusation Damages Awarded:…

Posting False Election Claims on Social Media: A Korean Court Fines Criminal Profiler ₩3 Million

<Case Snapshot> Court: Suwon District Court, Criminal Division 13 Date of Decision: February 5, 2026 Defendant: Lee Soo-jung, local party chair of the People Power Party;…

[SAMPLE] Notice of Extension of Detention (구속) Period

서울중앙지방검찰청 Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office (02) 530-3114 — 2017-1691 Document No.: 2017-1691 수 신 서울구치소장To: Warden, Seoul Detention Center 발 신 서울중앙지방검찰청From: Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office 제 목 구속기간연장통지서Subject: Notice…

[SAMPLE] Decision – Review of Legality of Detention (구속)

서울중앙지방법원 Seoul Central District Court 결 정 DECISION 사 건 2017초기79 구속적부심사 Case No. 2017초-79Type: Review of Legality of Detention 피고인 홍길동 (1965. 11. 7. 생), 무직 Defendant: Hong Gildong (Born…

Drunk Driving and Illegal Lodging Operations: Appellate Court Upholds ₩15 Million Fine for Former President’s Daughter

<Case Brief> Court Seoul Western District CourtCriminal Appellate Division 2-3 Presiding Judge Lim Ki-hwan, Chief Judge Defendant Moon Da-hye (age 43)Daughter of former President Moon Jae-in…

Your Wedding Is Not Marketing Content: Portrait Rights Prevail

<Case Brief> Court Suwon District CourtCivil Division (Single Judge) Presiding Judge Yeon Un-hee Case Number 2025Gadan509766 Decision Date December 18, 2025 Disposition – Partial victory for…