South KoreaHow do you revoke a will?
In South Korea, a will can be revoked by creating a new will that expressly revokes the prior one, or by physically destroying the original will with intent to revoke it.
What the Law Says
South Korean law strictly regulates will revocation to ensure clarity and prevent disputes. Revocation must be intentional and follow formal requirements.
Under the South Korean Civil Act, a testator may revoke a will either by making a new will that expressly revokes the prior one, or by physically destroying the original will with the clear intent to revoke it.
Partial revocation — such as crossing out a clause or altering part of a will — is not permitted. Only full revocation is recognized.
A later will automatically revokes an earlier will to the extent of any inconsistency, even without express language of revocation — but only if the later will complies with all formal requirements for validity.
Statutory TextA testator may revoke his or her will by making a new will or by destroying the will with the intention of revoking it.
— Civil Act, Art. 1109 — Revocation of Will
Statutory TextWhere there are two or more wills, the later will shall prevail to the extent that it is inconsistent with the earlier will.
— Civil Act, Art. 1110 — Effect of Later Will
What to Do
Draft a new will that either expressly states the revocation of all prior wills or contains provisions inconsistent with the old will.
Ensure the new will complies with formal requirements: handwritten (holographic) wills must be fully written, dated, and signed by the testator; notarial wills require two witnesses and notarization.
If choosing physical revocation, destroy the original will (e.g., burn, tear, obliterate) with clear intent to revoke — mere loss or misplacement does not suffice.
Keep evidence of intent and method (e.g., witness statements for destruction, notarial record for new will) to prevent future challenges.
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.