South KoreaA defective product injured me. Can I claim from the?
Yes, you can claim compensation from the manufacturer under South Korea’s Product Liability Act if the product had a defect that caused your injury.
What the Law Says
South Korea’s Product Liability Act (PLA) holds manufacturers strictly liable for injuries caused by defective products — meaning you do not need to prove negligence.
Under the Product Liability Act, a manufacturer is liable for damages if a person suffers injury or property damage due to a defect in a product they manufactured, supplied, or imported. Liability applies regardless of whether the manufacturer was negligent.
A 'defect' is defined as a condition where the product lacks the safety it should normally provide, considering its characteristics, usage, and timing of supply. This includes design flaws, manufacturing errors, and failure to provide adequate warnings or instructions.
The injured person must file a claim within 3 years from when they became aware of both the damage and the identity of the responsible party. In any case, claims are barred after 10 years from the date the product was delivered to the consumer.
Statutory TextA manufacturer shall be liable for damages caused by a defect in his/her product.
— Product Liability Act, s. 3 — Liability of Manufacturer
Statutory TextThe right to claim damages shall be extinguished after the lapse of three years from the time when the injured person becomes aware of the damage and the identity of the person liable for the damage, or after the lapse of ten years from the time when the product was delivered to the user or consumer.
— Product Liability Act, s. 5 — Extinction of Right to Claim Damages
What to Do
Gather evidence: keep the defective product, medical records, photos of injuries, and purchase receipts.
Identify the manufacturer or importer — check packaging, labels, or official Korean import registration numbers.
Send a written demand for compensation to the manufacturer, citing the Product Liability Act, s. 3.
If unresolved, file a civil claim at the district court where the manufacturer is headquartered or where the injury occurred.
Note: You must file within 3 years of discovering the injury and responsible party — or within 10 years of product delivery, whichever comes first.
Sources
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US FederalNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.