South KoreaMy gym suddenly closed. Can I get a refund?
Yes, you may be entitled to a refund if your gym closed without notice or failed to provide services — the Act on the Regulation of Terms and Conditions and the Act on Consumer Protection in Electronic Transactions apply.
What the Law Says
South Korean consumer law protects members when fitness centers close unexpectedly. Key statutes require refunds under specific conditions and restrict unfair contract terms.
Under the Act on the Regulation of Terms and Conditions, gyms cannot impose excessive penalties for early termination — any cancellation fee is capped at 30% of the remaining contract value.
The Act on Consumer Protection in Electronic Transactions applies to online gym sign-ups and mandates that consumers receive a full refund if services are not provided at all, or a proportional refund if services were partially delivered.
If the gym ceases operations without prior notice, this constitutes non-performance of contractual obligations, triggering automatic refund rights under Article 12 of the Consumer Protection Act.
Statutory TextWhere a business operator fails to perform its obligations under a contract with a consumer, the consumer may demand restitution of payments made.
— Act on Consumer Protection in Electronic Transactions, s. 12 — Restitution of Payments
Statutory TextAny term that imposes a penalty exceeding 30 percent of the remaining value of the contract shall be deemed invalid.
— Act on the Regulation of Terms and Conditions, s. 6 — Invalid Penalty Clauses
What to Do
Contact the gym in writing (email or certified letter) demanding a full or proportional refund within 7 days of closure.
If no response within 7 days, file a complaint with the Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) via www.kca.go.kr.
Keep copies of your membership contract, payment receipts, and all communication records.
If the gym operated online, also report to the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) under the Electronic Transactions Act.
Sources
Not 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.