If you are a foreigner living, working, or investing in Korea, one of the first questions you may have is: Do I have to pay taxes in Korea? The answer is yes, in many cases. However, the amount of tax you pay — and whether you must report income earned outside Korea — depends largely…

Quick answer: Renunciation of Korean nationality (국적이탈, gukjeok-ital) is the legal process by which a person who holds both Korean and foreign nationality from birth gives up their Korean nationality and keeps only the foreign one. For male dual nationals, the application must usually be filed by March 31 of the year they turn 18…

Being arrested in a foreign country can be frightening and confusing. Many expatriates, tourists, international students, and foreign workers are unfamiliar with the Korean criminal justice system and do not know what rights they have after an arrest. If you are a foreigner arrested in South Korea, understanding the investigation process, detention rules, deportation risks,…

South Korea has some of the strictest drug laws in the world. Many foreigners are surprised to discover that substances legally prescribed or recreationally used in their home countries may lead to serious criminal charges in Korea. Whether you are an expatriate, tourist, international student, or business traveler, understanding Korean drug laws is essential. Even…

If you are under investigation for a drug offense in South Korea, one of the first questions you may ask is: “What factors do prosecutors and police consider the most?” Under Korean narcotics law, investigators do not simply ask whether a person used drugs. Instead, they evaluate several key factors to determine the seriousness of…

When a foreign national is investigated for a drug-related offense in South Korea, one of the most important yet overlooked issues is interpretation. Many people assume that if an interpreter is present during police questioning, their rights are fully protected. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. In drug investigations, even a small misunderstanding or…

Many foreigners are surprised to learn that conduct considered legal in their home country can still lead to criminal penalties in South Korea. This is especially true when it comes to marijuana. If marijuana is legal in your country, can you still be punished for using it in Korea? The answer is yes. South Korea…

Foreign nationals living in South Korea often ask the same question after being investigated for a drug-related offense: “Will I be deported immediately if I am caught using or possessing drugs in Korea?” For international students, foreign workers, and other visa holders, concerns about deportation and visa cancellation are often more serious than the criminal…

Divorce can be overwhelming, especially for foreign spouses living in Korea. One of the most common questions we hear is: “Can I stay in Korea after divorce?” The answer depends on your individual circumstances. In many cases, divorce does not automatically mean that you must leave Korea. Can I Keep My Visa After Divorce? If…

If you are living in South Korea, maintaining a clean visa status is your top priority. However, accidents happen—whether it’s a late visa renewal, an unauthorized part-time job, or a minor legal dispute. This leads to the Immigration Investigation (Sabeom-simsa, 사범심사). In this post, we’ll break down the procedure and how you can protect your…