DUI and Traffic Accidents
Drunk driving, license revocation, accident claims
DUI and Traffic Accidents
Drunk driving in Korea is a criminal offense from a blood alcohol level of 0.03 percent, and a single incident triggers three procedures at once: a criminal case, license suspension or revocation, and civil liability for any damage. Traffic accidents with injuries add insurance and settlement issues.
We defend DUI and accident cases, appeal license revocations, negotiate settlements with injured parties, and handle hit-and-run and injury-after-flight charges.
What we handle
DUI penalties and defense
License revocation appeals
Traffic accident compensation
Hit-and-run cases
Injury after leaving the scene
Administrative appeals on driving licenses
What foreign nationals should know
A Korean license obtained by exchange can be revoked the same way, and holders of an international driving permit can be banned from driving in Korea, and a DUI can also affect visa renewal.
If you are involved in an accident, stay at the scene, call 112 and exchange details. Leaving, even to get help, can be charged as a hit-and-run.
Settlements with injured parties reduce criminal penalties. Insurers handle part of this, but the criminal side needs your own attorney.
Interpreters are provided for police procedures. Do not sign the accident report if you do not understand it.
Frequently asked questions
Your license is suspended or revoked administratively, and a criminal case follows with a fine or, for higher levels or repeat offenses, imprisonment. We handle both tracks.
Revocation can be challenged through an administrative appeal within 90 days and, in some circumstances, reduced to a suspension, for example when driving is essential to your livelihood.
Liability depends on fault, and injury cases can bring criminal charges as well as civil claims. Insurance covers part of it; a settlement with the injured party is important for the criminal side.
Possibly. Leaving without providing aid or your details is treated seriously even when the injury is minor. Contact an attorney immediately rather than waiting to be found.
This page provides general information about Korean law and is not legal advice. Outcomes depend on the facts of each case. Consultations are paid and are held in English or with an interpreter.