South KoreaThe travel agency unilaterally changed the itinerary.
A travel agency in South Korea cannot unilaterally change a confirmed itinerary without your consent — doing so breaches the Travel Industry Act and entitles you to cancellation, refund, or compensation.
What the Law Says
South Korean law strictly protects travelers from unilateral changes to confirmed travel plans by agencies.
Under the Travel Industry Act, a travel agency must obtain the traveler’s prior written consent before changing any major element of a confirmed itinerary — including destinations, accommodations, transportation, or scheduled activities.
If the agency changes the itinerary without consent, it is considered a breach of contract. The traveler may cancel the contract immediately and demand a full refund, plus compensation for damages caused by the change.
The law also requires the agency to notify travelers of any unavoidable changes (e.g., due to natural disasters or government orders) as soon as possible — but even then, consent is required unless the change is minor and does not affect the core value of the service.
Statutory TextA travel business operator shall not unilaterally change the contents of a travel plan after concluding a travel contract, unless otherwise prescribed by Presidential Decree.
— Travel Industry Act, Art. 28 — Prohibition against Unilateral Change of Travel Plan
Statutory TextWhere a travel business operator unilaterally changes the travel plan in violation of Article 28, the traveler may terminate the contract and demand a full refund of the travel fee and compensation for damages.
— Enforcement Decree of the Travel Industry Act, Art. 34 — Effect of Unilateral Change
What to Do
Request written confirmation of the original itinerary and the unauthorized change.
Notify the agency in writing (email or certified letter) that you reject the change and demand cancellation and full refund.
File a complaint with the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) or the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) if the agency refuses.
Claim compensation for verifiable losses (e.g., extra transport costs, missed events) within 30 days of return.
If unresolved, apply for mediation through the KTO’s Travel Dispute Mediation Center — free and typically resolved within 30 days.
Sources
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AustraliaNot 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.