“You’re Remarrying? Hand Over the Dog.” — Court Rules the One Who Paid Gets to Keep the Pet

A Korean court has settled a dispute over a dog caught between a separating couple, making clear that animal registration does not transfer ownership — and…

He Collected ₩700 Million in Insurance for Corn Removal — Then the Insurer Tried to Sue Again. The Supreme Court Said No.

The Background – A policyholder received cryotherapy for corn (티눈) removal thousands of times and successfully claimed approximately ₩700 million in surgical disease benefits under his…

‘I Wanted to Test the Police’ — Man Who Posted Fake Airport Bomb Threats Ordered to Pay ₩29 Million in Damages

The Incident – On the night of August 6, 2023, a man in his 30s identified as A posted six bomb threat messages over a three-and-a-half-hour…

Eight-Time Theft Offender Gets Sentence Doubled on Appeal by Stealing Again Days After Release

The Case – A 42-year-old man identified as A, with eight prior theft convictions, was released and promptly reoffended while still under investigation for an earlier…

Stealing from Your Parents Is Now a Complaint-Required Crime: Supreme Court Applies Reformed Family Theft Rule

Following a landmark constitutional ruling that upended how Korean law treats theft within families, the Supreme Court has clarified that crimes committed after the constitutional court’s…

Don’t Blame the Family: Constitutional Court Rules That Criminalizing Failure to Pass On Military Notices Is Unconstitutional

South Korea’s Constitutional Court has unanimously struck down a provision of the former Military Service Act that made it a criminal offense for family members to…

Guaranteed Admission, Guaranteed Prison: Supreme Court Upholds Sentence for ₩850 Million University Placement Scam

South Korea’s Supreme Court has finalized a prison sentence for a fraudster who pocketed ₩850 million by falsely promising to use insider connections to secure a…

One Wrong Form, ₩120 Million in Damages: The Costly Difference Between Withdrawing an Appeal and Dropping a Case (Entirely)

A simple (?) clerical error by a law firm employee — filing the wrong withdrawal document with the court — cost a client a hard-won property…

A Fever Ignored, a Family Harmed: Postnatal Care Center Ordered to Pay ₩20 Million for Newborn Sepsis

A Seoul court has held a postnatal care center liable for failing to act on a newborn’s warning signs, resulting in a dangerous case of sepsis.…

On Paper Broken, But Still Married: Court Rules Pension Must Be Split Across Full Marriage Period

A South Korean administrative court has ruled that merely acknowledging a marital breakdown in divorce documents is not enough to reduce a former spouse’s share of…

A Treaty Cannot Silence the Victims: Korea’s Supreme Court Rules on Wartime Forced Labor Claims

South Korea’s Supreme Court has confirmed that the 1965 Korea-Japan Claims Agreement does not bar individual victims of Japanese wartime forced labor from pursuing damages in…

When One Jump Too Many, Costs Millions: South Korea’s Trampoline Liability Ruling

A South Korean court has ordered a resort and a child’s family to pay approximately ₩30 million (roughly $22,000 USD) in damages after a trampoline accident…

Victory for Confidentiality: Korean Supreme Court Upholds Attorney-Client Privilege

A recent landmark ruling by the Supreme Court of Korea marks a significant turning point for legal privacy, effectively recognizing Attorney-Client Privilege (ACP) as a constitutional…

Korean Court Affirms Broad Protection for Online Expression on Wiki Platforms

Key Takeaways No Liability for Namu Wiki (나무위키)  – The Seoul High Court held that Namu Wiki is not liable for defamation damages, even where some…

Prosecution Can’t Keep Fund Records Secret, Court Rules

🧾 Case Overview The Seoul Administrative Court ruled that prosecutors must disclose certain special activity fund records. A civic group won a lawsuit challenging the prosecution’s…

Supreme Court Affirms Fraud Convictions in KakaoBank ATM Fee Abuse Case

🧾 Case Overview The Supreme Court of Korea upheld convictions against three defendants for abusing a bank ATM fee system. Charges included fraud and obstruction of…

Statute of Limitations Starts at the Last Payment, Court Rules

🧾 Case Overview A court ruled that when a doctor receives multiple cash payments from a pharmaceutical company for promotional purposes, the statute of limitations starts…

Court: Voluntary Work Dinner Not “Work,” No Survivor Benefits for Fatal Accident

🔹Key Takeaway A fatal accident after a voluntary work dinner is not considered work-related, so no survivor benefits are owed. Case Overview A delivery driver died…

Supreme Court: Profit-Based Bonuses Are Not “Wages”

🔹 Key Ruling The Supreme Court ruled that bonuses tied to company net profit are NOT considered wages. Reason: net profit depends heavily on external factors…

Korean Court Recognizes Saudi Lesbian Woman as Refugee

🔹 Key Ruling A South Korean court ruled that a Saudi Arabian lesbian woman qualifies as a refugee. The court found a high risk of persecution…

Supreme Court: Site Manager Liable Even Without Direct Order in Fatal Work Accident

🔹 Key Ruling The Supreme Court held that a construction site manager can be liable for a worker’s deatheven without giving a specific instruction for the…

Court Upholds Visa Extension Denial for Student Missing Graduation Requirement

🔹 Key Ruling A South Korean court ruled that denying a visa extension to a foreign graduate student was lawful. Reason: the student failed to meet…

Golf Course Liable After Ball Ricochet Injury (30% Responsibility)

🔹 Key Ruling A South Korean court held a golf course 30% liable for injuries caused by a ball that ricocheted off a rock and struck…

Korean Supreme Court: “If HR & Finances Are Integrated, It’s One Company”

🔹Key RulingThe Korean Supreme Court ruled that: For the Serious Accidents Punishment Act (SAPA), Employee numbers must be calculated by combining headquarters and all business sites…

Korean Court Orders Damages After Truck Kills Pet Dog: Owner Awarded Emotional Distress Compensation

Court: Suwon District Court, Seongnam BranchDecision Date: January 15, 2026Case Type: Confirmation of Non-Existence of Debt / Damages Key Ruling Facts of the Case Consequences of…

Korean Court Rules Proxy Prescription for Suicidal Patient Was a ‘Justifiable Act’

Court: Seoul Southern District CourtCase No.: 2025고단1Decision: Not Guilty Background Facts of the Case Legal Issue Court’s Ruling The court acquitted Dr. A, ruling that the…

Korean Supreme Court: False Report on Public Official May Still Be Legal if in Public Interest

Key Ruling The Korean Supreme Court ruled that: Even if a media report about a public official is false, It may not be considered illegal (defamation)…

Korean Supreme Court Finalizes Sentence in Diplomatic Leak Case

Key Ruling The Korean Supreme Court finalized a suspended prison sentence for former lawmaker Kang Hyo-sang. Sentence: 6 months in prison 1 year suspension (probation) Charges:…

Supreme Court Confirms Life Imprisonment for Daejeon School Killing

<The Crime> – Myeong Jae-wan (49), a teacher at an elementary school in Daejeon, lured a first-grade girl named Kim Ha-neul to the school’s audiovisual room…

Cleaner Hired Through Home-Service App Steals Luxury Jewelry Worth ₩13.7M — Court Hands Suspended Prison Sentence

A Korean court has handed a suspended prison sentence to a cleaning helper who stole luxury jewelry from a client’s home after being hired through a…

Korean Court Recognizes Iraqi Woman as Refugee After Ruling Family Violence Can Constitute ‘Persecution’

A notable refugee law decision from the Seoul Administrative Court held that domestic violence may qualify as persecution under international refugee law when the victim cannot…

Supreme Court Upholds Prison Sentences for Rapper Who Smoked Marijuana While on Probation

The Supreme Court of Korea has finalized prison sentences for a well-known Korean rapper who repeatedly used marijuana while already serving suspended sentences for prior drug…

South Korea’s Supreme Court Upholds Fine for Pastor Who Held In-Person Worship During COVID-19 Restrictions

The Supreme Court of Korea has upheld a criminal fine against a pastor who repeatedly conducted in-person church services during government restrictions aimed at preventing the…

[SAMPLE] Complaint for Divorce, Alimony, and Related Relief

소 장 COMPLAINT 원 고 강 선 ○ (781001-1111111)주소 : 전라남도 ○○군 ○○읍 ○○길 11-11등록기준지 : 전라남도 ○○군 ○○면 ○○리 111번지 원고 소송대리인 법무법인 ○ ○담당변호사…

[SAMPLE] Complaint for Loan Repayment

소 장 COMPLAINT 원 고 윤 ○ 용서울 관악구 ○○동 1111-1 2층 원고 대리인 법무법인 ○○○담당변호사 오 ○ ○서울 서초구 서초동 1234-5 ○○빌딩 1층전화번호 : 02-3400-7000,…