Can I start divorce proceedings in Korea if I currently live abroad?

Yes. If your Korean spouse resides in Korea, you can file for divorce in Korean family court even while living abroad. Our attorneys can represent you in court without requiring your physical presence in most cases. We handle cases for clients in the US, Europe, Australia, and worldwide.

Does Korea follow the Hague Convention on child abduction?

Yes, Korea ratified the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction in 2012. If your child has been taken to or wrongfully retained in Korea, you can apply for their return through the Hague Convention process. Our office handles both Convention applications and related Korean family court proceedings.

How long does an international divorce case in Korea typically take?

Korean divorce law provides two main routes. Consensual divorce (협의이혼) requires both parties to appear in person in Korea at least twice and does not allow attorney representation — making it impractical for foreigners living abroad. It also lacks enforceable property division and can lead to future disputes over custody and support. Court divorce (이혼소송) typically takes 6–18 months, but for couples who have already agreed on all terms, our office provides an expedited court divorce service that concludes much faster while delivering full legal enforceability for property, custody, and support arrangements.

Is it necessary to hire a Korean lawyer for an international divorce case?

A Korean Bar Association-licensed attorney is required for filing petitions, representing you at court hearings, negotiating with the opposing party, and enforcing court orders. Our attorneys are licensed by the Korean Bar Association and have handled 500+ international divorce cases since 2015. Our office provides dedicated English-language support for international clients.

International Divorce in Korea — English-Speaking Attorneys

Q: I am a US military service member (USFK) married to a Korean national. How does divorce work?

USFK divorce cases have unique considerations: jurisdiction may fall to Korean courts if the Korean spouse resides in Korea, and SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) does not grant exemption from Korean family court proceedings. We have direct experience representing US military personnel and their spouses in Korean divorce cases, including property division, child custody, and support orders. Call our US number: 240-348-9181.

Q: Can I get child custody as a foreign parent?

Yes. Korean courts decide custody based on the best interests of the child, not the nationality of the parent. Foreign parents can and do receive custody in Korean courts. Factors include which parent has been the primary caregiver, stability of the home environment, and the child's preferences (for older children). We can also assist with international child relocation orders.

Since 2015, we have handled over 500 international divorce cases across 30 courts nationwide.

Facing Divorce from a Korean Spouse?

Whether you're a foreign national married to a Korean citizen, or a Korean living abroad, divorce involving Korean law can feel overwhelming — especially when you're not sure which country's courts apply, how to protect your assets, or what happens to your children.

We understand the specific pressures international families face:

Your spouse may be in Korea while you are abroad
Property may be divided across multiple countries
Child custody and relocation across borders
Language barriers in Korean court proceedings

Our attorneys have handled 500+ international divorce cases since 2015.

Our office provides dedicated English-language support for international clients at every stage.

Kakao Talk Consultation

Our International Divorce Services

01

Contested Divorce Representation

Filing, hearings, and negotiations when your spouse refuses to cooperate or disputes arise over assets or custody.

02

International Property Division

Korean court orders for assets held in Korea, the US, or other countries. Pension, real estate, and business interests.

Learn more →

03

Child Custody & Relocation

Custody orders, international relocation approvals, and Hague Convention applications for children in Korea.

Learn more →

04

USFK & Expat Cases

Specialized representation for US military personnel, foreign workers, and expatriates navigating Korean family law.

05

Premium Uncontested Divorce

Already agreed on all terms? Our proprietary service delivers a fully enforceable court judgment — covering property, pensions, custody, and support — often in as little as one week, with no court appearances required.

Learn more →

Why YeoHae? - Highly Skilled and Caring Experts

Our firm has handled over 500 international divorce cases since 2015, with attorneys certified by the Korean Bar Association.

Kakao Talk Consultation

Which Court Handles Your Case?

Your Situation	Jurisdiction	Can YeoHae Represent You?
Korean spouse lives in Korea, you live abroad	Korean Family Court ✓	Yes — no appearance required in most cases
Both spouses currently in Korea	Korean Family Court ✓	Yes — full representation
USFK service member married to Korean national	Korean Family Court (SOFA does not exempt)	Yes — USFK cases handled
Child taken to / kept in Korea without consent	Hague Convention + Korean court	Yes — Hague applications handled
Both spouses abroad, assets in Korea	Consult required (varies)	Case-by-case — contact us

* Jurisdiction depends on multiple factors. Contact us for a free assessment of your specific situation.

Comparing US and Korean divorce law? Read our guide: Grounds for Divorce: United States vs. Korea

Expert Divorce Attorney, certified by Korea Bar Association

Pyoung-ho Kim, the Representative Attorney, was awarded the Young Lawyer Award, and the Excellent Lawyer Award both by the Korean Bar Association in 2021, with his highly recognition in passion and contribution to human rights and social justice.

Kakao Talk Consultation

Success Stories

26,000

Consultations

525

Cases Handled

30

Courts Represented

Over 500 international lawsuit cases whilst more cases closed with our expert advices, the alternative resolutions. Find following sentencing we gained in the court.

Reconstructed the actual case to protect personal information

1. A woman married to a foreign husband and living in her husband's country. I have two children of dual citizenship and own some property in my country of residence. Embarrassingly, my husband recently filed for divorce in the Korean Family Court, how can I respond?

2. I married my American husband a long time ago, but it has been more than 10 years since I came back to Korea alone due to conflict and separated. I want to go through divorce proceedings in Korea, but I have already lost my Korean citizenship. Can I get a divorce in Korea?

3. I got married and divorced abroad, but I didn't know that I had to file a divorce report in Korea as well. I want to organize my documents in Korea, what should I do?

4. I got married in Korea and got divorced while immigrating to the United States. When I try to file divorce papers at the Korean embassy, they say that the couple should come together. How can I file for divorce?

5. I am a US citizen living in Korea. I married my husband of Korean nationality in the United States, but I did not register my marriage in Korea. I want to get a divorce due to ongoing marital conflict, but is it possible to get a divorce even if I have not registered my marriage in Korea?

6. I am a Korean woman living in Canada. I had a conflict with my husband, and while filing for divorce in a Canadian court, my husband took the child to Korea without a word, and filed for divorce in the Korean Family Court. How should I respond?

7. While studying abroad, I met and married a Korean spouse. Conflicts continued throughout our marriage, and we returned to Korea at different times and now we live without contact. I have registered my marriage in a foreign country only. Do I have to get a divorce? Can I get a divorce in Korea?

8. I have permanent residency in Canada. My husband, who was living alone in Korea, filed a divorce suit involving division of property in a Canadian court. I don't even know my husband's property in Korea, so can I just divide the property in Canada like this?

9. We are a US citizen couple, currently living in Korea, and our property is located in Korea and the United States. Due to ongoing marital conflict, we have decided to divorce, but my wife is demanding excessive division of the property. How should I respond?

10. I am a Taiwanese woman. I met my husband when he was studying in Taiwan and got married. I want a divorce because of my husband's repeated affair. I currently live in Taiwan and have no plans to enter Korea, and my husband lives in Korea. I want a divorce as soon as possible.

11. I married a European woman in Korea and then came to the United States to study together. There were frequent quarrels while living in the United States, and my wife returned to her home country. We both agreed to a divorce, and I would like to get a divorce in Korea for convenience.

12. I am married to my American husband and live in Hawaii. I have two children of dual citizenship. I want to get a divorce because there are many conflicts due to housework and financial reasons. Is it possible? If I get a divorce, would it be advantageous for me to get a divorce in Korea or the United States?

13. I met and married a Chinese wife in the United States. I came to Korea and have been married for about 3 years. Due to cultural differences, it is impossible to live together. Can I get a divorce in Korea?

14. I am married to my Thai wife and live in Thailand. I have one child of dual citizenship. The conflict is so severe that I want a divorce, but my wife doesn't want a divorce. Can I get a divorce?

15. While traveling abroad, I met and married a wife of European nationality, and I have one child of dual citizenship. I found out that my wife had left the house and was living with another man. It was difficult to live there any longer, so I returned to Korea with my child. I want to divorce in Korea.

16. I am trying to get a default judgment against my Korean spouse in the US. Is the US default judgment accepted in Korea?

More cases

Excellent Lawyer Award from Korean Bar Association

Pyoung-ho Kim, Representative Attorney, received the Excellent Lawyer Award from Korean Bar Association recognized his passion and devotion to his cases and clients. We provide specialized lawyer services for all foreigners in Korea.

Kakao Talk Consultation

Nationwide, Expedited.

Extensive experiences handling cases over 30 District Courts in Korea - not only in Seoul but nationwide.

Kakao Talk Consultation

Procedure

1

Free Initial Consultation with a Legal Specialist10–30 min

Tell us your current situation, and we will explain key legal issues and available procedures. We review your spouse’s location, whether there are children, marriage duration, and grounds for divorce.

☎ Phone & in-person consultations available · Phone consultation available for non-local clients · Complex cases may be referred to a paid attorney consultation

2

Case Analysis & Strategy Planning1–2 weeks

Before filing, we predict the other party’s response and build a tailored strategy. We pre-analyze custody risks, property division strategy, and required evidence.

3

File the Complaint

We file the complaint and submit evidence requests for alimony and property division claims. This helps secure favorable evidence and may shorten trial duration.

4

Trial or MediationApprox. 8 months–1 year 6 months

Depending on the dispute level, the case may settle early or proceed through 2–3 hearings with evidence collection. If custody/visitation is contested, a family investigation may be conducted.

5

Judgment Finalized & Divorce Effective2 weeks after judgment

Once the judgment becomes final, the marriage is legally dissolved. Administrative follow-up procedures are then carried out.

Done

Family Registry Update Completed1–2 weeks

We guide you through reporting so the divorce is reflected in your family relation certificate.

Get a free consultation

240-348-9181 (US/Canada) | 02-537-4455 (Korea)
Business hours: Mon–Fri, 9:30–18:00
email: info@leesunsin.com

한국어, English, 中文

русский

Tiếng Việt

日本語

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. My Korean spouse refuses to divorce. What can I do?

A. You can file for a contested divorce (이혼소송) in Korean family court even if your spouse refuses. Korean family law allows divorce on grounds including irreconcilable differences, abandonment, or breakdown of the marriage. Our attorneys have handled hundreds of contested cases. Proceedings typically take 6–18 months.

Q. Can I file for divorce in Korea while living abroad?

A. Yes. If your Korean spouse resides in Korea, you can file in Korean family court from abroad. Our attorneys can represent you in most hearings without requiring your presence in Korea. We serve clients in the US, Europe, Australia, and worldwide.

Q. I'm a US military service member (USFK) married to a Korean national. How does divorce work?

A.USFK members are subject to Korean family court jurisdiction when their Korean spouse resides in Korea — SOFA does not provide exemption from family law proceedings. We have experience representing active-duty personnel and veterans in Korean divorce cases, including child custody and military pension division. US line: 240-348-9181

Q. How is marital property divided in Korea?

A. Korean courts divide property based on each spouse's contribution. Assets accumulated during the marriage — real estate, savings, pensions, and business interests — are clearly subject to division. Pre-marital assets may also be included depending on the length of the marriage and the other spouse's degree of contribution to their maintenance or growth. Foreign assets held abroad can also fall within the scope of Korean court orders. We regularly handle cases involving overseas property. For more information, see our detailed guide on international property division in Korea.

Q. Can I get child custody as a foreign parent in Korea?

A. Yes. Korean courts determine custody based on the best interests of the child, not nationality. Foreign parents can receive full custody. Key factors include who has been the primary caregiver, home stability, and (for older children) the child's own preferences. We also handle international relocation orders. See our dedicated page on child custody for international families in Korea.

Q. Does Korea follow the Hague Convention on international child abduction?

A. Yes — Korea ratified the Hague Convention in 2012. If your child has been wrongfully taken to or retained in Korea, you can apply for their return. Our office handles both Hague Convention applications and related Korean court proceedings. Learn more about our Hague Convention and child abduction services.

Q. How long does divorce take in Korea?

A. Korean divorce law provides two main routes. Consensual divorce (협의이혼) requires both parties to appear in person in Korea at least twice and does not allow attorney representation — making it impractical for foreigners living abroad, and it does not produce enforceable property division orders. Court divorce (이혼소송) typically takes 6–18 months, but for couples who have already reached agreement on all terms, our office provides a Premium Uncontested Divorce Service — delivering a fully enforceable court judgment for property, custody, and support arrangements, often in as little as one week, with no court appearances required.

Q. Do I need to appear in Korean court in person?

A. In the majority of cases we handle, clients do not need to appear in Korean court in person at all — our attorneys represent you throughout the entire proceedings. Personal appearance is only required in rare situations where the court specifically requests it, typically in certain mediation proceedings. We will advise you clearly whether your case requires it.

Q. Is a Korean-licensed attorney necessary for my case?

A. Yes. A Korean Bar Association-licensed attorney is required for filing petitions, representing you at hearings, negotiating settlements, and enforcing court orders. Our attorneys are all Korean-licensed with 500+ international cases handled since 2015. Our office provides dedicated English-language support for international clients throughout the process.

Press release

Representative Attorney Pyoungho Kim

- 2011 Passed the Judicial examination
- 2011 1st Bar Exam Reviewer (Ministry of Justice)
- 2011 54th judicial examination reviewer (Ministry of Justice)
- 2013 Seoul Central District Court Civil Conciliation Committee
- 2013 Deputy Prosecutor at Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office
- 2013 Professional Institutional Training in the Office of the National Assembly Member
- 2013 KOTRA Washington Trade Center Study on U.S. Government Procurement Laws
- 2015 Member of International Committee of Korean Bar Association
- 2015 Member of Autonomous Committee for Countermeasures against School Violence at Seoi Elementary School, Seoul
- 2017 Director, Korea Paragliding Association
- 2017 Member of the Seoul District Bar Association Judging Committee
- 2017 Seoul Family Court Adult Guardian
- 2020 Seoul Entrepreneurs Association Regulation Reviewer
- 2020 Member of the protection of school rights at Seoul Seoi Elementary School
- 2021 Korean Bar Association Young Lawyers Award
- 2021 Excellent lawyer selected by the Korean Bar Association

Education: Graduated from Yonsei University, Department of Physics
language: Korean, English

Press release

International Divorce in Korea — English-Speaking Attorneys

Facing Divorce from a Korean Spouse?

Our International Divorce Services

Why YeoHae? - Highly Skilled and Caring Experts

Which Court Handles Your Case?

Expert Divorce Attorney, certified by Korea Bar Association

Success Stories

Reconstructed the actual case to protect personal information

1. A woman married to a foreign husband and living in her husband's country. I have two children of dual citizenship and own some property in my country of residence. Embarrassingly, my husband recently filed for divorce in the Korean Family Court, how can I respond?

2. I married my American husband a long time ago, but it has been more than 10 years since I came back to Korea alone due to conflict and separated. I want to go through divorce proceedings in Korea, but I have already lost my Korean citizenship. Can I get a divorce in Korea?

3. I got married and divorced abroad, but I didn't know that I had to file a divorce report in Korea as well. I want to organize my documents in Korea, what should I do?

4. I got married in Korea and got divorced while immigrating to the United States. When I try to file divorce papers at the Korean embassy, ​​they say that the couple should come together. How can I file for divorce?

5. I am a US citizen living in Korea. I married my husband of Korean nationality in the United States, but I did not register my marriage in Korea. I want to get a divorce due to ongoing marital conflict, but is it possible to get a divorce even if I have not registered my marriage in Korea?

6. I am a Korean woman living in Canada. I had a conflict with my husband, and while filing for divorce in a Canadian court, my husband took the child to Korea without a word, and filed for divorce in the Korean Family Court. How should I respond?

7. While studying abroad, I met and married a Korean spouse. Conflicts continued throughout our marriage, and we returned to Korea at different times and now we live without contact. I have registered my marriage in a foreign country only. Do I have to get a divorce? Can I get a divorce in Korea?

8. I have permanent residency in Canada. My husband, who was living alone in Korea, filed a divorce suit involving division of property in a Canadian court. I don't even know my husband's property in Korea, so can I just divide the property in Canada like this?

9. We are a US citizen couple, currently living in Korea, and our property is located in Korea and the United States. Due to ongoing marital conflict, we have decided to divorce, but my wife is demanding excessive division of the property. How should I respond?

10. I am a Taiwanese woman. I met my husband when he was studying in Taiwan and got married. I want a divorce because of my husband's repeated affair. I currently live in Taiwan and have no plans to enter Korea, and my husband lives in Korea. I want a divorce as soon as possible.

11. I married a European woman in Korea and then came to the United States to study together. There were frequent quarrels while living in the United States, and my wife returned to her home country. We both agreed to a divorce, and I would like to get a divorce in Korea for convenience.

13. I met and married a Chinese wife in the United States. I came to Korea and have been married for about 3 years. Due to cultural differences, it is impossible to live together. Can I get a divorce in Korea?

14. I am married to my Thai wife and live in Thailand. I have one child of dual citizenship. The conflict is so severe that I want a divorce, but my wife doesn't want a divorce. Can I get a divorce?

16. I am trying to get a default judgment against my Korean spouse in the US. Is the US default judgment accepted in Korea?

Excellent Lawyer Award from Korean Bar Association

Nationwide, Expedited.

Procedure

Get a free consultation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. My Korean spouse refuses to divorce. What can I do?

Q. Can I file for divorce in Korea while living abroad?

Q. I'm a US military service member (USFK) married to a Korean national. How does divorce work?

Q. How is marital property divided in Korea?

Q. Can I get child custody as a foreign parent in Korea?

Q. Does Korea follow the Hague Convention on international child abduction?

Q. How long does divorce take in Korea?

Q. Do I need to appear in Korean court in person?

Q. Is a Korean-licensed attorney necessary for my case?

Press release

Representative Attorney Pyoungho Kim

Parties to the litigation we conducted

Certifications and Awards

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4. I got married in Korea and got divorced while immigrating to the United States. When I try to file divorce papers at the Korean embassy, they say that the couple should come together. How can I file for divorce?