Jin & Kim, PLC | Legal Blog

Short AnswerYes, in many cases.CCTV footage can often be obtained and used as evidence in a criminal case in Korea.However, whether CCTV can actually be secured depends on several factors, including:Who controls the footageWhether the footage still existsWhether the owner voluntarily cooperatesWhether privacy issues are involvedWhether the footage must be obtained through police or court procedu..

Short AnswerYes, in many cases.If you do not speak Korean sufficiently, you may generally request the assistance of an interpreter during a police interview in Korea.The key issue is not nationality alone, but whether you can practically understand and communicate in Korean during the investigation.Accurate interpretation is important because your statements may become evidence in the criminal i..

Short AnswerIt depends.Being indicted in Korea does not automatically mean that you cannot leave the country.However, once a criminal case is pending before the court, travel can become legally and practically complicated. Before leaving Korea, you should consider three main issues:Whether an exit ban or departure restriction has been imposedWhether you are required to attend upcoming court hear..

Short AnswerYes, potentially.A criminal conviction in Korea does not automatically result in deportation. However, depending on the type of offense, the sentence imposed, your immigration status, and other circumstances, a foreign national may face deportation, a departure order, or other immigration consequences.Because criminal and immigration issues often overlap, foreign nationals should con..

Short AnswerYes.A criminal case in Korea does not automatically proceed to trial. Many cases are resolved during the investigation stage before indictment.Depending on the facts, evidence, and applicable law, a case may end through a non-forwarding decision (불송치 결정) by the police or a non-prosecution disposition (불기소 처분) by the prosecution.Does Every Criminal Investigation Lead to Trial?No.Being..

Short AnswerDo not ignore it.If someone files a criminal complaint against you in Korea, it does not automatically mean that you are guilty or that criminal charges will follow.However, the way you respond during the early stage of the investigation can significantly affect the outcome of the case. In many situations, early mistakes are difficult to correct later.In practice, it is generally adv..

Short AnswerYes. In Korea, a person may be subject to an exit ban or related departure restriction during a criminal investigation under certain legal circumstances.However, being contacted by the police or becoming involved in an investigation does not automatically mean that you cannot leave Korea. In practice, the existence, timing, and scope of any restriction depend on the seriousness of th..

Short AnswerStay calm and verify the situation before responding.In Korea, being contacted by the police does not automatically mean that you will be arrested or charged. However, police contact—whether by phone, message, or written notice—may form part of a formal investigative process, and how you respond can affect the course of the case.Why the Police May Contact YouThe police may contact yo..

Short AnswerNot without legal grounds.In Korea, the police generally require a court-issued warrant to search a mobile phone.However, access may occur through voluntary submission (consent) or in limited legally defined urgent situations, and any digital evidence is typically handled through procedurally regulated forensic examination.Do the Police Need a Warrant to Search Your Phone?In principl..

Short AnswerIt depends. In Korea, being under criminal investigation does not automatically prevent you from leaving the country.However, an exit restriction may be imposed if departure is considered inappropriate for the investigation, in which case you will not be allowed to leave Korea.How Exit Restrictions Work in KoreaIn Korea, exit restrictions are not imposed directly by police or prosecu..