You do not need money to get a lawyer’s advice in Korea. The Korea Legal Aid Corporation (대한법률구조공단, call 132) gives free legal consultations to any foreign resident, and can represent you in court for free if your income is low enough or you are an unpaid worker. City foreign resident centers, labor offices and help lines fill in the rest, often in your language.
Key facts
| Main provider | Korea Legal Aid Corporation (대한법률구조공단), 132 |
| Free advice | Any foreign resident in Korea, by phone, video, online or in person |
| Free lawsuits | Usually for people at or below 125% of the standard median income, and for some groups such as unpaid workers |
| Seoul | Seoul Foreign Resident Center, 02-2229-4900: lawyers, labor attorneys, real estate agents, immigration specialists |
| Labor issues | Ministry of Employment and Labor 1350 |
| Immigration and life | Immigration Contact Center 1345 (20 languages) |
Korea Legal Aid Corporation (대한법률구조공단)
The KLAC is a public body under the Ministry of Justice with offices in every region.
- Free legal consultation is open to every Korean citizen and foreign resident in Korea. Book through klac.or.kr or call 132. Video consultation is also offered.
- Free or low-cost representation (법률구조) covers civil and family cases (unpaid debts, deposits, divorce, damages) and some criminal defense. The general income test is the standard median income (기준 중위소득) at 125% or below for your household, which applies to foreign residents too. There are also specific programs for groups such as crime victims and workers with unpaid wages.
- Unpaid wage lawsuits: workers, including foreign residents, whose average monthly wage for the last 3 months was under ₩4 million can get a free lawsuit with the labor office’s certificate of unpaid wages. See Unpaid Wages.
- Refugee applicants have a separate legal aid program.
The government’s legal aid platform helplaw24.go.kr lists the services for foreign residents in one place.
Ask for an interpreter when you book. If your Korean is limited, bring a trusted friend, or call 1345 for help in your own language.
City and regional centers
- Seoul Foreign Resident Center (서울외국인주민센터), 40 Dosin-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, tel. 02-2229-4900. Professional counselors work on set days: lawyers (family, civil and criminal cases), labor attorneys (unpaid wages, dismissal, industrial accidents, contracts), licensed real estate agents (leases and deposits) and administrative attorneys (visas and stay). Check the schedule and book in advance.
- Seoul Global Center (서울글로벌센터), 38 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, tel. 02-2075-4180, offers multilingual counseling on daily life and can point you to legal help.
- Other cities and provinces run foreign resident support centers and foreign worker support centers with legal and labor counseling. See Foreign Resident and Worker Support Centers.
- Multicultural families can use Danuri (1577-1366) and local family centers. See Multicultural Family Support.
Free help by problem
| Problem | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Unpaid wages, dismissal, injury at work | 1350, labor office complaint; labor attorney at a foreign resident center |
| Deposit not returned, landlord dispute | KLAC 132; real estate counseling at a city center; see tenant rights |
| Visa refusal, fines, overstay | 1345; administrative attorney counseling; see immigration violations |
| Arrested or charged with a crime | Ask for a lawyer at once; a court-appointed defender (국선변호인) may be provided; see police guide |
| Harassment or discrimination | 1350, National Human Rights Commission 1331; see harassment and discrimination |
| Domestic or sexual violence | 112 in an emergency; 1366 women’s hotline; Danuri 1577-1366 |
Court-appointed defenders in criminal cases
If you are charged with a crime and cannot afford a lawyer, the court can appoint a public defender (국선변호인) for you. In some situations, such as when you are detained, the court must appoint one. Tell the police, prosecutor or judge early that you want a lawyer. You also have the right to an interpreter.
Paying for a private lawyer
If you do not qualify for free help or need a specialist:
- Ask your embassy for its list of local lawyers who speak your language.
- Get the fee in writing before you start. Lawyers in Korea often charge a retainer (착수금) plus a success fee (성공보수).
- For small claims, Korean courts have simpler procedures. KLAC can explain which applies to you.
Common questions
Is a consultation really free for foreigners?
Yes. KLAC legal consultation is open to all foreign residents. Representation in court depends on your income or case type.
I’m undocumented. Can I still get help?
Many support centers and NGOs help regardless of status. Since November 2025, labor inspectors investigating unpaid wages do not have to report your status to immigration.
Can a lawyer help with my visa?
Yes, though many visa matters are handled by administrative attorneys (행정사). Free counseling is available at the Seoul Foreign Resident Center and by phone through 1345.
How fast can I see someone?
Phone advice is usually the quickest. In-person appointments may take longer, so book as soon as a problem starts, especially when a deadline is involved.
Official sources
This guide explains the general rules as of the date above. Rules change and every case is different, so confirm with the office named here (or the 1345 Immigration Contact Center) before an important decision. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.