South KoreaThe real estate agent provided false information.
In South Korea, a real estate agent who provides false information may face civil liability for damages and administrative penalties, including license suspension or cancellation under the Real Estate Brokerage Business Act.
What the Law Says
South Korean law holds real estate agents strictly accountable for the accuracy of information provided to clients during brokerage activities.
Under the Real Estate Brokerage Business Act, agents must provide truthful, accurate, and complete information about properties, transaction conditions, and legal status. Providing false or misleading information violates statutory duties and triggers both civil and administrative consequences.
The law imposes direct liability on brokers for damages caused by false statements — clients may sue for compensation without needing to prove intent, only that the misinformation occurred in the course of brokerage services.
Administrative penalties include fines up to ₩30 million and license suspension for up to 5 years; repeated or serious violations may lead to license cancellation.
Statutory TextA real estate broker shall not make false statements or omit important facts regarding real estate or brokerage services.
— Real Estate Brokerage Business Act, Art. 48 — Prohibition of False Statements
Statutory TextAny real estate broker who violates Article 48 shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than three years or by a fine not exceeding 30 million won.
— Real Estate Brokerage Business Act, Art. 51 — Penalty
What to Do
Gather evidence (e.g., written materials, emails, recordings) showing the false statement was made by the agent.
File a complaint with the local government office (Si/Do Office) responsible for real estate business supervision.
Consider filing a civil claim for damages at the district court where the agent’s business is registered.
Report to the Korea Real Estate Brokers Association for possible disciplinary review.
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.