Cancellation of Seizure of Legal Opinion & Evidence in Korean Criminal Prosecution (2024Mo730) On February 20, 2025, the First Division of the Supreme Court of Korea (Chief Justice Shin Sook-hee) issued a significant ruling in 2024Mo730, canceling the Korean prosecution’s seizure of approximately 120,000 emails and related materials that included legal opinions exchanged between criminal defendants and their Koraen defense counsel. IPG Legal advises proactivity and demanding that your lawyers in Korea share all sensitive data via a secure cloud drive. For additional articles in Korean Criminal Law
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Drug Arrests of Foreigners in Korea Increase for FY 2024
The number of arrests in Korea on drug charges last year was 23,022, a 16.6% decrease from the previous year. However, arrests of foreigners on drug charges increased for two consecutive years – 2,573 in 2022 to 3,151 in 2023 and 3,232 last year. The Korean police and prosecution are focused on increasing enforcement actions against foreigners. If you are charged with any drug crime in Korea it is essential to hire the best lawyer you can afford. See: Defense Lawyers in Korea. This last year drug
Continue readingEnglish-Speaking Defense Attorneys in Korea | IPG Legal
Have you been charged with a crime in the Republic of Korea? Please hire the best Korean law firm available. The choice of your criminal defense counsel shall, likely, be one of the most important choices you shall make in your life. IPG Legal is one of the only law firms in Korea to have obtained over 70 not-guilty verdicts and hundreds of dismissals and suspension of indictments in Korea courts and before prosecutors. IPG Legal is, consistently, ranked one of the top dispute resolution law firms
Continue readingHiring of a Criminal Defense Attorney by USFK Personnel
With growing calls for more severe punishment for alleged crimes committed by USFK active duty and civilians in Korea it is essential to retain an experienced Korean attorney – often the attorneys in Korea recommended by the U.S. military are less than adequate for suspects that are innocent, suspects that are being overcharged (charged for a crime that is more serious than the actual crime) or suspects that shall not plead guilty to the alleged crime. Sadly many of the Korean lawyers “advised” by the U.S. military
Continue readingWhat Should I do if I Receive a Korean Summons for a Criminal Investigation in Korea?
CAN KOREAN POLICE ISSUE AND ENFORCE A SUMMONS EVEN WHEN THE SUSPECT RESIDES ABROAD? Yes. The Korean Criminal Procedure Law applies to foreigners who have committed crimes within Korea as well as those who have committed crimes against residents of Korea while residing outside of Korea. Upon suspicion of a crime, the Korean police and Korean prosecution may move to demand the foreign suspect to attend an investigation in Korea. Thus, typically, the Korean Prosecution Services issues a summons. The summons may be issued for a suspect
Continue readingDetention of Criminal Suspects in Korea under Korea’s Criminal Procedure Law
The Korean Criminal Justice System works, in many aspects, very differently from the American, Australian, Canadian, Irish, UK, and other Criminal Justice Systems based on the common law. One, notable, difference is in regard to the detention of a suspect prior to and during a trial/hearing in Korea. One aspect of the Korean justice system that leaves many of our clients puzzled is the pre-trial detention system in Korea. Korea’s Criminal Procedure Act, Article 92 details the maximum detention periods while the Korean prosecutor’s investigation is pending.
Continue readingLength of Sentences for Korean Crimes Perpetrated in Korea
The length of sentences for crimes in Korea varies depending on the severity of the offense, the capabilities of your Korean lawyer and the discretion of the judge. The most important aspect of defending against a crime in Korea is the choice of your Korean criminal defense attorneys. Also, ensure that your lawyer in Korea has experience handling immigration issues if you are an expat. Due to Korean realities, it is advisable to have a retired Korean judge on your legal team and, in some cases, a retired
Continue readingBelgian Ambassador’s Wife on Assault Charge: Hiring a Proactive Defense Lawyer in Korea
Criminal assault cases involving members of the foreign community are serious business in Korea. The case of the Belgian Ambassador’s wife highlights the importance of engaging an experienced English-speaking criminal attorney. It was reported, that the Belgian Ambassador was recalled after his wife was caught in a second assault altercation. In May of this year, CCTV emerged of the Belgian Ambassador’s wife, Xiang Xueqiu slapping a shop assistant. Staff at the store believed that Mrs. Xiang may have been shoplifting and wanted to check her clothing. Police
Continue readingNew Korean Corruption Investigative Unit Established to Investigate High-Ranking Public Officials in Korea
Korean established a new investigative unit with the independent power to investigate High-Ranking Public Officials, family members of High-Ranking Public Officials and those associated in alleged crimes with High-Ranking Public Officials. This office shall be called the Corruption Investigation Office (“CIO”) for High-Ranking Public Officials. This independent investigative agency’s scope of power includes the investigation of the President of Korea, members of the Korean National Assembly, prosecutors, judges, senior public officials (Rank of Grade III or higher) and some senior police officers. Also this independent office can
Continue readingKorea Increases the List of Serious Crimes in the Act on Regulation and Punishment of Criminal Proceeds Concealment
The Chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee in Korea proposed an Amendment to the Korean Act on Regulation and Punishment of Criminal Proceeds Concealment (hereinafter as “Act on Punishment of Criminal Proceeds Concealment”) on April 4, 2019. Some crimes shall be added to the list of “serious crimes” stated in the aforementioned Act. Amendment to the Act on Punishment of Criminal Proceeds Concealment The list of “serious crimes” (also “specific crimes”) as defined in Art. 2 (1) Korean Act on Punishment of Criminal Proceeds Concealment shall
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