South Korea

Small Claims Mediation in South Korea

₩30,000,000
Maximum claim amount for small claims procedure
30 days
Typical court-ordered mediation period
95%
Estimated settlement rate in court-connected mediation (2023 Supreme Court data)
14 days
Statutory deadline for defendant’s written response after service
The Short Answer

No, mediation is not mandatory before filing in South Korea's small claims court, but courts strongly encourage or may refer parties to voluntary mediation at any stage.

What the Law Says

Practical Steps

Important Deadlines

When to See a Lawyer

Sources

statuteCivil Procedure Act (Act No. 8867)statuteMediation Act (Act No. 12922)governmentSupreme Court Rules on Court-Connected MediationgovernmentKorean Legal Aid Corporation (KLAC) Small Claims Guide

Related Questions

How do I file a small claims case in South Korea?What are the filing fees for small claims court in South Korea?How do I enforce a small claims judgment in South Korea?What happens at a small claims hearing in South Korea?Can foreigners file small claims 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.