South KoreaI caused an accident. Can I just handle it through?
Yes, you can usually handle a minor car accident through insurance in South Korea—but only if there are no injuries, no disputes over fault, and the damage is under ₩20 million. Serious accidents or those involving injury require police reporting and may trigger criminal or civil liability.
What the Law Says
South Korean law allows private settlement via insurance for minor traffic accidents—but imposes strict duties when injuries, disputes, or significant damage are involved.
Under the Road Traffic Act, drivers must immediately stop, assist injured persons, and report accidents to police if there are injuries or fatalities — regardless of fault. Failure to do so may constitute a criminal offense.
For accidents with no injuries and mutual agreement on fault, parties may use the 'Traffic Accident Mutual Agreement System' (commonly called 'Charyeok Tongui') to settle privately and file jointly with insurers. However, this option is only valid if total property damage does not exceed ₩20 million.
Even when using insurance, drivers must retain evidence (photos, contact info, agreement forms) for at least three years — the statutory limitation period for civil claims arising from traffic accidents.
Statutory TextWhen a traffic accident occurs, the driver of a vehicle shall immediately stop the vehicle, take necessary measures such as providing first aid to injured persons, and report the accident to the competent police agency without delay.
— Road Traffic Act, Article 52 — Duty to Report Accidents
Statutory TextAny person who causes a traffic accident resulting in injury or death and fails to fulfill the duties prescribed in Article 52 shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than five years or a fine of not more than ₩20 million.
— Road Traffic Act, Article 69 — Punishment for Failure to Perform Duties After Accident
What to Do
1. Check for injuries — if anyone is hurt, call 119 and 112 immediately and do NOT leave the scene.
2. If no injuries and damage is under ₩20 million, exchange info and complete a 'Mutual Agreement Form' (Charyeok Tongui Seo) with the other driver.
3. Report the accident to your insurer within 24 hours — delays may void coverage.
4. Keep all evidence (photos, repair estimates, signed agreement) for at least 3 years.
5. If fault is disputed or damage exceeds ₩20 million, contact police and consult a lawyer before settling.
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.