South KoreaWhat is the penalty for a second DUI offence?
A second DUI offence in South Korea carries a prison sentence of up to 3 years or a fine of up to ₩10 million, and mandatory driver's license revocation for at least 2 years.
What the Law Says
South Korean law treats repeat DUI offences severely, with escalating penalties under the Road Traffic Act and the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Crimes such as Drunk Driving.
Under the Road Traffic Act, a person convicted of a second DUI offence within 5 years faces harsher punishment than a first-time offender. The law defines DUI as operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.03% or higher.
The Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Crimes such as Drunk Driving imposes mandatory minimum penalties for repeat offenders, including automatic license revocation and non-suspendable imprisonment or fines.
Statutory TextAny person who drives a motor vehicle while having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.03 percent or more shall be punished by imprisonment with labor for not more than three years or a fine of not more than ten million won.
— Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Crimes such as Drunk Driving, s. 3 — Penalty for Drunk Driving
Statutory TextWhere a person who has been punished for drunk driving commits the same offense again within five years from the date on which the sentence is finally confirmed, the court shall impose a sentence of imprisonment with labor without suspension of execution.
— Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment of Crimes such as Drunk Driving, s. 4 — Aggravated Penalty for Repeat Offenders
Statutory TextThe driver's license of a person convicted of drunk driving shall be revoked; provided that, in the case of a person convicted of drunk driving for the second time or more, the period of revocation shall be not less than two years.
— Road Traffic Act, s. 125 — Revocation of Driver's License
What to Do
Immediately stop driving and surrender your license if charged.
Consult a Korean-licensed attorney experienced in traffic crimes.
Prepare evidence (e.g., BAC test records, witness statements) before trial.
Attend all court hearings — failure may result in warrant issuance.
Complete mandatory alcohol education or treatment programs if ordered.
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.