South Korea

Serving a Defendant in Small Claims (South Korea)

₩30 million
Maximum claim amount for small claims court in South Korea
14 days
Standard deadline for defendant to respond after valid service
95%
Estimated rate of successful service via registered mail in small claims cases
30 days
Statute of limitations for most contract-based small claims
The Short Answer

In South Korea, service in small claims cases is typically done by certified mail (registered mail with delivery confirmation) via the court, or in person by a court bailiff if the defendant’s address is unknown or mail fails.

What the Law Says

Practical Steps

Important Deadlines

When to See a Lawyer

Sources

statuteCivil Procedure Act (Act No. 8632)statuteEnforcement Decree of the Civil Procedure Act (Presidential Decree No. 31456)governmentKorean Courts Small Claims Guide (English)governmentKorea Post Registered Mail Service

Related Questions

How do I file a small claims case in South Korea?What are the filing fees for small claims in South Korea?Can I get a default judgment in South Korea small claims?How do I enforce a small claims judgment in South Korea?What is the statute of limitations for 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.