What happened?
When You Need an English-Speaking Lawyer in Korea
Most people contact us at one of these moments. Choose the one closest to yours. You do not need to know the legal category or decide about representation yet.
The police contacted me
What usually happens next
You may be asked to appear for questioning. Before questioning you must be told you have the right to remain silent, and you can have a lawyer present. Your statement is written into a record that you can read and ask to correct before you sign.
How YUSU can help
We prepare you before the interview, explain the process in English and can attend the questioning with you.
I am accused of a crime or have been charged
What usually happens next
After the investigation, the prosecutor decides whether to indict, suspend indictment or not prosecute. If the case is indicted, it goes to trial and may be appealed.
How YUSU can help
Defense at every stage, led by a former prosecutor who knows how these decisions are made.
I am accused of a sex offense
What usually happens next
These cases often turn on messages, timelines and what each person said and did. What you say at the first interview matters.
How YUSU can help
We review the evidence with you, prepare your account and stand with you from the police stage onward.
I was the victim of a crime
What usually happens next
A victim of a crime can file a criminal complaint in Korea. Korean law does not require you to be a Korean national to do so.
How YUSU can help
We organize the facts and evidence, prepare the complaint and follow the investigation as your representative.
I am going through a divorce or family dispute
What usually happens next
A divorce in Korea is either by agreement, confirmed by the family court after a waiting period, or by a court judgment. When one spouse is a foreign national, the court also considers jurisdiction and which country’s law applies.
How YUSU can help
English consultation on custody, support and property division, with Korean court filings prepared for you.
Someone owes me money, rent or damages
What usually happens next
Money, lease and contract disputes may start with a formal demand letter and can move to settlement, a payment order or a lawsuit.
How YUSU can help
We assess your evidence, send the legal notice, negotiate and litigate in Korean courts when needed.
A legal problem is affecting my visa or stay
What usually happens next
A criminal case or another legal dispute can affect your status of stay. How it does depends on the facts of each case.
How YUSU can help
We advise on the immigration side of your legal matter, such as the consequences of a criminal case. We do not act as a general visa application agency.
I am not sure where to start
What you can do now
Send a short summary of what happened, the current stage and any upcoming date. Our legal team reviews it and contacts you. No documents are needed at this stage.
Legal services
English-Speaking Legal Services in Korea
What do you need help with? Our work covers five areas, from the first police call to a final court decision.
Criminal Defense & Police
Police questioning, prosecution and trial for foreign nationals accused of a crime.
Crime Victims & Complaints
Reporting a crime and having it properly investigated, as the complainant.
Divorce & Family
Divorce, custody and family matters, including marriages that cross borders.
Immigration & Refugee
Legal issues affecting your status of stay, and refugee applications and appeals.
Civil, Contracts & Property
Money, lease, contract and damages disputes in Korean courts.
YUSU Lawfirm is a Korean law firm providing legal services in English for foreign nationals, international families, overseas residents and international clients. Korean Legal Advice is the firm’s English-language legal service, run from our offices in Seoul (Mapo) and Gyeongju.
You deal with a Korean-licensed lawyer directly, and the procedure, the documents and the decisions are explained to you in English. Many clients first write to us from outside Korea, before they arrive or after they have left.
Case results
Real Cases Handled by YUSU Lawfirm
A selection from our published case results across criminal defense, crime victims, family and civil matters. Each summary reflects the actual outcome of that case.
DUI & Traffic
Serious injury accident tried by jury
Not GuiltyThe case was moved to a citizen participation trial. The jury unanimously found the client not guilty.
Service: DUI & Traffic Defense
Read the case: Serious injury accident tried by jury →Crime Victims & Complaints
Defrauded by a partner, about KRW 123 million
Offender ImprisonedThe complaint mapped the money flow and deception. The offender was detained and sentenced to prison for the full loss.
Service: Crime Victims & Complaints
Read the case: Defrauded by a partner, about KRW 123 million →Family & Divorce
International divorce with a foreign national spouse
Divorce GrantedEnglish consultation and Korean court filings prepared from the client’s account. The court granted the divorce.
Service: Divorce & Family
Read the case: International divorce with a foreign national spouse →Civil & Property
Two months of unpaid rent
Eviction GrantedThe lease was validly terminated. Eviction and unjust enrichment claims were granted in full.
Service: Civil Litigation
Read the case: Two months of unpaid rent →Sex Crimes
Sexual assault allegation by a former partner
No ChargesA relationship-based accusation. Deleted chats were recovered and the police closed the case; prosecutors also declined to charge after the complainant’s objection.
Service: Sex Crime Defense
Read the case: Sexual assault allegation by a former partner →Fraud & Financial Crimes
Bank account used in a romance scam
No ProsecutionThousands of pages of chats showed the client was deceived. Prosecutors declined to charge aiding fraud and money laundering.
Service: Fraud Defense
Read the case: Bank account used in a romance scam →Other Criminal Cases
Two petty thefts
Closed by PoliceThrough minor offense review the case ended at the police stage with no criminal record.
Service: Police Investigation Support
Read the case: Two petty thefts →Family & Divorce
Claim against a spouse’s affair partner, without divorce
Damages AwardedThe court held the affair partner liable for KRW 20 million in damages.
Service: Divorce & Family
Read the case: Claim against a spouse’s affair partner, without divorce →Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in another matter.
About YUSU Lawfirm
A Korean Law Firm for International Clients
Korean Legal Advice is YUSU Lawfirm’s English-language legal service for foreign individuals and international clients in Korea.
Led by Korean-licensed attorney and former prosecutor Soobin You, the firm brings together defense attorneys and a former police investigator to provide clear, practical representation across the Korean legal system.
Led by a former prosecutor
Soobin You, the founding and managing attorney, brings a prosecutor’s view of how cases are investigated and decided.
About Soobin YouDirect English with an attorney
Attorney Kyungmin Kim, U.S.-educated, communicates with clients in English without an interpreter.
Meet the teamInvestigation experience in the team
Senior Advisor Chunggeol Lee spent 13 years as a police investigator, including fraud and criminal investigation work.
Our teamReal cases, two offices
Published case results across criminal, victim, family and civil matters. Offices in Seoul and Gyeongju.
Case results OfficesOUR TEAM
A Korean Legal Team Built for International Clients
YUSU Lawfirm brings together Korean legal professionals whose experience supports clear strategy, direct communication and practical representation for international clients.
Soobin You
FOUNDING & MANAGING ATTORNEY · FORMER PROSECUTOR
A Korean-licensed attorney and former prosecutor who leads YUSU Lawfirm, sets the firm’s overall legal strategy and directs representation for international clients.
Kyungmin Kim
DEPUTY MANAGING ATTORNEY · U.S.-EDUCATED · FLUENT IN ENGLISH
U.S.-educated and fluent in English, Attorney Kim communicates directly with English-speaking clients without an interpreter.
Chunggeol Lee
SENIOR ADVISOR · FORMER POLICE INVESTIGATOR
A former police investigator with 13 years of experience, including fraud and criminal investigation work.
Juhwan Kim
DEPUTY MANAGING ATTORNEY
An attorney known for tenacious, detail-driven advocacy and experience in criminal defense practice.
How legal proceedings work
What to Expect in a Korean Legal Case
A short overview of the usual stages. Each service page explains them in more detail.
Criminal cases
- InvestigationPolice gather evidence and question the people involved. You can have a lawyer present during questioning.
- Police decisionThe police either close the case or send it to the prosecutor.
- Prosecutor’s decisionThe prosecutor decides to indict, suspend indictment or not prosecute.
- Trial and appealAn indicted case is tried in court, and the judgment can be appealed.
For foreign nationals, a criminal case can also affect status of stay. This depends on the facts of each case. Criminal charges and your visa
Divorce and family cases
- First reviewWhether a Korean court can hear the case and which country’s law applies.
- Agreement or court caseDivorce by agreement is confirmed by the family court after a waiting period. Otherwise a divorce claim is filed.
- Custody, support, propertyThese are settled by agreement, mediation or judgment.
- After the divorceA claim for property division must be made within two years of the divorce.
Civil and money disputes
- Evidence reviewContracts, messages, transfers and other records are checked first.
- Legal noticeA formal demand letter sets out the claim and a deadline.
- NegotiationSome disputes are settled on written terms at this stage.
- Court actionA payment order or lawsuit, then judgment and enforcement.
Quick Case Inquiry
Not sure where to start? Tell us what happened.
Send a brief summary, the current stage and any upcoming date. No documents or sensitive evidence are needed now. YUSU Lawfirm’s legal team will review your inquiry and contact you using the details you provide. We will request any additional information separately and explain any consultation or representation fees before you decide whether to proceed. Your inquiry will not be published.
Case intake
How It Works
- Tell us what happenedA short inquiry, a call or a KakaoTalk message. No documents are needed yet.
- Attorney reviewWe review the matter and explain the options, scope of work and fees before you decide.
- Engagement and startLegal work begins after the engagement agreement is signed and the required payment is made.
Submitting information online does not create an attorney-client relationship. YUSU Lawfirm begins legal work only after reviewing the matter, confirming the scope of work, completing an engagement agreement and receiving the required payment.
Frequently asked questions
Legal Help in Korea: Common Questions
Can you handle my case in English?
Yes. You can consult and receive updates in English. Attorney Kyungmin Kim communicates with clients directly in English without an interpreter. Filings in Korean courts and agencies are made in Korean, and we explain what each document says and what it means for you.
Do you represent foreigners?
Yes. Korean Legal Advice exists for foreign individuals and international clients. Foreign clients may retain a Korean-licensed lawyer for legal matters in Korea, and the appropriate scope of assistance depends on the facts and the type of matter.
Can a lawyer attend my police questioning?
Yes. Under Korea’s Criminal Procedure Act, a suspect can have defense counsel present during questioning. We can prepare you beforehand and attend the interview with you. Police investigation support
Can I consult remotely or from outside Korea?
Yes. You can start with the online inquiry form, a phone call or KakaoTalk. Many clients first write to us from outside Korea, before they arrive or after they have left.
Which lawyer will handle my case?
Attorney Soobin You, a former prosecutor, directs the firm’s legal strategy. Attorney Kyungmin Kim handles direct English communication, and Attorney Juhwan Kim works on criminal defense matters. Senior Advisor Chunggeol Lee, a former police investigator, supports investigation matters and is not an attorney. The attorneys working on your matter are confirmed when the scope of work is agreed. Our team
How do I start?
Use Start Your Case, send a quick case inquiry on this page, or call us. A short summary of what happened and any upcoming date is enough for the first contact. We explain any consultation or representation fees before you decide whether to proceed.
Where are your offices?
Our Seoul office is at 6F-602, 180 Mapo-daero, Mapo-gu, Seoul (02-6352-0404). Our Gyeongju office is at 3F-301, 83-1 Hwarang-ro, Gyeongju (054-624-0404). Offices and directions
Can you handle cases outside Seoul?
Yes. Korean lawyers can represent clients before police, prosecutors and courts across Korea. Our offices are in Seoul and Gyeongju, and we take on matters in other regions depending on the case.
How can a foreigner file a criminal complaint in Korea?
A victim of a crime can file a criminal complaint regardless of nationality. We help organize the relevant facts and documents and prepare the complaint for filing. Criminal complaints
Legal guidance in English
Korean Law, Explained in English
Practical guides from YUSU Lawfirm for foreigners living, working or facing legal issues in Korea.
Seoul office (Mapo): 02-6352-0404 · Gyeongju office: 054-624-0404 · Consultation line: 010-2255-8713
OFFICES AND DIRECTIONS →YUSU Lawfirm
Ready to Get Legal Help in Korea?
Tell us what kind of legal help you need. You can start with a short inquiry without sending detailed facts or documents.
Short intake · Attorney review · No documents required at this stage
Korean Legal Advice is the English-language legal service of YUSU Lawfirm.
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