South KoreaDoes a former spouse's child support obligation continue?
No, remarriage of a former spouse does not automatically terminate or alter their child support obligation under South Korean law.
What the Law Says
South Korean law treats child support as a parental duty independent of the parent’s marital status. Remarriage does not extinguish this obligation.
Under the Civil Act of South Korea, parents have a statutory duty to protect, educate, and support their minor children. This duty arises from the parent-child relationship itself—not from the parents’ marital status.
Child support obligations continue until the child reaches majority (age 20 under Korean civil law), becomes self-supporting, or is otherwise emancipated—regardless of whether either parent remarries.
A court may modify or terminate support only upon petition and proof of changed circumstances — remarriage alone is not sufficient grounds.
Statutory TextParents shall protect, educate, and support their minor children.
— Civil Act, s. 913 — Duty of Parents
Statutory TextA child attains majority upon reaching the age of twenty years.
— Civil Act, s. 7 — Majority
What to Do
Continue paying child support as ordered or agreed, even after remarriage.
File a petition with the family court if you seek modification based on material change in financial circumstances.
Provide evidence (e.g., income statements, new dependents) — remarriage alone is insufficient.
Obtain written court approval before stopping or reducing payments.
Sources
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US-New YorkNot 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.