South KoreaIf I'm late on rent, will I be evicted immediately?
No, you will not be evicted immediately for late rent in South Korea. The landlord must first issue a formal notice and wait at least 2 weeks before filing for eviction.
What the Law Says
South Korean law requires landlords to follow strict procedural steps before evicting a tenant for late rent. Immediate eviction is not permitted — notice, opportunity to pay, and court involvement are mandatory.
Under the Civil Act, a landlord cannot unilaterally lock out or remove a tenant for late rent. Termination of a lease due to non-payment requires written notice and a reasonable opportunity to remedy.
The Housing Lease Protection Act strengthens tenant rights by requiring landlords to give at least 14 days’ written notice before seeking eviction for rent arrears. If the tenant pays all overdue rent (including late fees) within that period, the eviction process stops.
Courts will only grant an eviction order if the tenant has failed to pay rent for at least one full month *and* did not respond to the formal notice. Even then, enforcement typically takes at least 30 days after the court ruling.
Statutory TextIf a lessee fails to pay rent for more than one month, the lessor may terminate the lease contract by giving written notice to the lessee.
— Housing Lease Protection Act, s. 6 — Termination of Contract Due to Nonpayment of Rent
Statutory TextThe lessor shall not terminate the lease contract without giving the lessee at least fourteen days’ written notice.
— Housing Lease Protection Act, s. 6 — Termination of Contract Due to Nonpayment of Rent
Statutory TextA lease contract shall not be terminated solely on the grounds of delay in payment of rent unless the delay exceeds one month.
— Civil Act, s. 620 — Effect of Delay in Performance
What to Do
Check your lease agreement for rent due date and late fee terms.
Contact your landlord immediately to explain the delay and propose a payment plan.
Pay all overdue rent—including any lawful late fees—within 14 days of receiving written notice.
Keep proof of payment (bank transfer receipt, signed acknowledgment).
If served with a court summons, respond promptly and consider consulting a legal aid center (e.g., Korea Legal Aid Center for Family).
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.