The Hague Service Convention, also known as the Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters, is an international treaty that provides for the service of judicial and extrajudicial documents between countries. South Korea is a signatory to the Hague Service Convention, which means that documents must be served between South Korea and other signatory countries according to the provisions of the Convention. For another related article please see: Enforcement of Foreign Judgments
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Korean Electronic Travel Application (K- ETA) Explained
K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is an online electronic travel authorization for travelers without a visa to Korea that can be obtained prior to entering the Republic of Korea (ROK) for leisure, business, or to visit family (except for profit-making projects). If you are planning to visit South Korea and want to apply for the K-ETA, you can visit the official K-ETA website or its mobile application and submit an application on your own behalf or on behalf of another
Continue readingThe Formalities under the Guardian Law in Korea
Often we assist clients with family member or friends in Korea that are better off under the care of a trustworthy person who can manage their personal and property related responsibilities. Under Korean law, it is possible for a court to appoint a guardian to take care of the best interest of a ward. A “ward” is a person who lacks the capacity, either physically or mentally, to take care of themselves. Thus, courts in Korea can appoint a guardian
Continue readingMergers & Acquisitions in The Korean E-Commerce Market: Opportunities for Foreign Niche E-Commerce Sites
First-generation Korean e-commerce enterprises are currently working to integrate recently acquired businesses and create new business prospects in the fiercely competitive E-commerce market of Korea. Last month, Korea Center, the owner of Enuri.com, the nation’s oldest online shopping mall and Danawa, another local e-commerce business, merged. In order to increase their ability to compete in the market, the two businesses intend to operate their e-commerce platforms independently while eventually building an integrated system forthe analysis of online shopping data. The
Continue readingForce Majeure Jurisprudence in the Republic of Korea
Korea has recently been affected by typhoons and severe flooding caused by the heaviest rainfall in centuries. These issues led to the loss of life, property, business and the livelihood of many individuals. Many alleged defaulting/breaching parties to an agreement have claimed Force Majeure as a defense to non-performance of contractual obligations. A Korean court recognized Force Majeure Event offers relief to the alleged defaulting/breaching party, in Korea, if the party fulfils the legal requirements noted below. Force Majeure Defined
Continue readingCriminal Record Checks in Korea
We assist expats who have lived in Korea with Korean Police Clearance Certificates and Korean Criminal Record Check Certificates. The process to obtain these records, in Korea, is regrettably not so easy in many cases, because of a new Korean Law. Why is a Criminal Record Check needed? A criminal record check in Korea is typically required for some jobs, including teaching positions, as proof that the applicant did not commit any crimes while in Korea. It is also required
Continue readingThe Korean Tax Law Reform Proposal of 2022
The Korean Ministry of Economy and Finance plans to submit the following Korean Tax reform proposal to theNational Assembly and seeks approval before the 2nd of September 2022. The Korean Tax Reform Plan consists of changes with an emphasis on three goals of the new administration: Tax Incentives for foreign professionals working in KoreaThe Korean Government intends to extend a 50% cut to income taxes for highly skilled foreign engineers to 10 years from the current criteria of 5 years.
Continue readingIPG Legal’s Korean Criminal Defense Practice
IPG Legal is one of the only law firms in Korea that obtained dozens of not guilty, dismissals and suspension of indictments in Korea. We handled hundreds of cases for foreigners in Korea and believe that we are the most experienced law firm in Korea handling criminal defense cases for expats, business executives, U.S. government employees and senior enlisted soldiers and airmen working in Korea. Our criminal defense attorneys have worked with expats on criminal matters in Korea for over
Continue readingDefinition of “Ordinary Wage” in Korea: Korean Employment & Labor Law Basics
The courts of the Republic of Korea, for years, has struggled to find a consistent interpretation of an “Ordinary Wage.” The definition of Ordinary Wage, under Korean Law, was clarified by the Korean Supreme Court in two decisions handed down on December 18, 2013. The calculation of Ordinary Wages is important, since the calculation is utilized to calculate statutory entitlements, and thus has an impact on the aggregate amount of contributions necessary to be paid to employees. For example, according
Continue readingHow to Retain an English-Speaking Attorney in Korea by Tom Coyner
There are excellent and ethical attorneys in every country; this is certainly also the case in Korea with Korean attorneys and international attorneys working in Korea. While all are no doubt intelligent and highly educated, the manner in which many approach their clients’ needs harkens more to the early 20th century than the cusp of the 21st century. Unfortunately, most Korean attorneys fail to appreciate or care to consider the commercial context of their counsel. Based on what one reads
Continue readingTop Law Firms in Seoul, Korea for English-Speaking Clients According to 10 Magazine
We are proud to note that 10 Magazine listed us in an article titled 10 Lawyers in Seoul for English-Speaking Expats in Korea. IPG is listed under the title Large/International Law Firms. Thanks for the mention 10 Magazine. We love your work. IPG Legal and many of our lawyers were listed as top attorneys by numerous legal rating services and magazines. The article by 10 Magazine on the law firms in Korea notes: The lawyers of IPG focus on business law,
Continue readingSailing into the winds of change: Sailing in Korea
My Yacht/Sailing Club was featured in the Joongang Daily. Sailing into the winds of change Joong ang Ilbo (February 23, 2007) Harold Shim, right, aboard a 21-foot trimaran on the Han River in Seoul with members and guests of the 700 Yacht Club. In 1965, as an 11-year-old immigrant to the United States, Harold Shim found himself with his brother and sister living with an adoptive family on Wrangell Island in southeastern Alaska. His adoptive parents were teachers, who did
Continue readingKorea emerges as an Arbitration Hub in East Asia
With several major international companies now calling Seoul home and many international construction contracts choosing Seoul as the venue for arbitration, international arbitration matters are on the rise in Korea. American, Australian, British, Chinese, Indian, German have expanded their interest in the growing Korean market. International conglomerates in Korea have long understood the value of the arbitration process. Regrettably, few Korean attorneys are capable of handling international arbitration cases in the English language, because of the lack of experience in
Continue readingInternational Arbitrations in Korea under the IBA Rules
Procedural Arbitration rules are key to the efficient and effective adjudication of arbitration disputes in Korea and, also, worldwide. These arbitration rules govern and set out the framework for the arbitration process. Evidence gathering and presentation are important aspects of the above procedure, and yet, institutional and ad hoc rules that provide arbitration guidelines on other matters such as the appointment of arbitrators and the nature of award and costs are, usually, silent on this point. Advantages of such a
Continue readingKoreans Hold Unique View on Foreign Firms by Tom Coyner
For many years, the Korean market has been synonymous with protectionism in many foreign marketers’ minds. However, with the advent of a strong middle class and its successful struggle to gain a genuine democracy during the past two decades, many of the trade barriers have fallen. As more foreign products and services have become integrated into the Korean economy, a wider acceptance of foreign corporations has taken place. However, it would be a mistake to say this is a trend.
Continue readingContent Opportunities for Int’l Entertainment Companies in Korea
The global success of BTS hasn’t gone unnoticed in the US, as Korea remains an excellent market for foreign companies actively pursuing content partnerships in Asia. Over the last decade, IPG Legal has built significant relationships with major entertainment companies in Korea and abroad and worked on several international collaborations. British singer Ed Sheeran is the latest foreign entertainer to collaborate with a K-Pop band. Sheeran co-wrote the lyrics for the BTS single “Permission to Dance.” International content and entertainment
Continue readingProposed Korean Law Aims to Break In-App Purchase Monopolies of Apple and Google
In an article that appeared in The Register, it was reported that legislators in Korea are proposing a law that aims to break the monopolies of App Stores such as Google and Apple. In-app purchase (IAP) is defined by Real Simple as “any fee (beyond the initial cost of downloading the app, if there is one) an app may ask for.” Currently Google and Apple require their app developers to use their in-app payment services when someone wishes to make
Continue readingFiling a Complaint to the Merit System Protection Board from within Korea
The Merit System Protection Board (MSPB) is a U.S. government agency protecting the rights of US employees. US Federal employees in South Korea are entitled to the same protections, under U.S. Law as employees based in the United States. The United States attorneys at IPG Legal have extensive experience handling appeal matters at the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), grievances under the Negotiated Grievance Procedure and complaints to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). We have worked with GS and
Continue readingConstitutional Court Upholds Cellphone Ban While Driving
Long term foreign residents will note that the Korean Constitutional Court has upheld the rule banning the use of cellphones while driving. The court ruling stipulates that the ban isn’t a violation of the Korean Constitution. Using cellphones while driving increases the risk of traffic accident and should be banned to protect the life, body, and property of the people. The law allows certain exceptions that permit the use of cellphones in emergency situations, minimizing unecessary inconvenience. Korean Constitutional Court’s
Continue readingImmigration updates for Foreigners In Korea: Expiration of Visas
The Korean Ministry for Justice (MOJ) announced it is relaxing passport restrictions for foreign residents in South Korea. Under the new guidelines from the MOJ, long-term foreign residents shall be allowed to stay in the country after their passport expires. The MOJ announced it was giving foreign nationals in Korea an amnesty period until June 2022. Foreign nationals shall be allowed to stay in Korea for up to 12 months, even if their passport has expired. Once the amnesty period has expired,
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