South Korea

Defendant No-Show in Korean Small Claims

30 days
Statutory period to file an objection to default judgment
₩30 million
Maximum claim amount eligible for small claims procedure
14 days
Standard notice period before first small claims hearing
95%
Estimated rate of default judgments upheld on appeal when no justifiable cause shown
The Short Answer

If the defendant fails to appear at a small claims hearing in South Korea without justifiable cause, the court may issue a default judgment in favor of the plaintiff.

What the Law Says

Practical Steps

Important Deadlines

When to See a Lawyer

Sources

statuteCivil Procedure Act (Act No. 8491)statuteSmall Claims Procedure Enforcement Rules (MOJ Ordinance No. 627)governmentKorean Court Small Claims Guide (English)

Related Questions

How do I file a small claims case in South Korea?What types of claims qualify for South Korea's small claims process?Can I appeal a small claims decision in South Korea?How long does a small claims case take in South Korea?

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: 2026-10-18.