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법률칼럼Legal Insight2026. 05. 19

[Divorce in Korea for foreigners] International Divorce for Couples: Key Guide to Divorce Procedures and Property Division

 

Law firm to visit when I want to talk about child custody while divorce in Korea, Law Firm Majung

  When a couple of different nationalities decides to end their marriage, the first question is not simply “Can we get divorced?”   There is a more fundamental issue to consider:
  • Which country’s law will apply, and
  • Where the actual legal process will take place
  Having different nationalities does not automatically mean the procedure is completely different. However, the applicable standards may vary depending on factors such as where the couple lives and the nature of their marriage.   For this reason, international divorce involves far more considerations at the preparation stage compared to ordinary family law cases.   Key factors such as jurisdiction, applicable law, location of assets, and even immigration issues may all be interconnected.    

Contents

 
1. What Should Be Reviewed First in an International Divorce, how to divorce in Korea?
 
2. How Does the International Divorce Process Proceed
 
3. What Criteria Are Used to Determine Property Division
 
4. What Procedural Issues Commonly Arise in International Divorce Cases
 
5. Why Should Property Division and Procedural Strategy Be Planned Together
 
6. Lawyer Near Me, Law Firm Majung
   

1. What Should Be Reviewed First in an International Divorce, how to divorce in Korea?

  Even if a couple has different nationalities, not all cases proceed in the same way. The first step is to determine which country’s court has jurisdiction over the case.   The key factors considered at this stage include:
  • The couple’s actual place of residence
  • The country where the marriage was registered
  • The child’s place of residence and life base
  • The country where assets were formed
  For example, if the couple registered their marriage and has been living in Korea, Korean courts will often have jurisdiction. On the other hand, if they have lived abroad for a long period, a different determination may be made.   In this way, international divorce is not simply about ending a relationship—it requires first establishing the applicable legal framework. When this foundation is properly set, the divorce process can proceed more smoothly without unnecessary delays.    

2. How Does the International Divorce Process Proceed

  Compared to ordinary legal proceedings, the biggest differences in international divorce procedures are service of documents and jurisdiction.   If the other party resides overseas, the process of delivering legal documents can take significantly longer.   In such cases, the following may be required:
  • Verification of the overseas address
  • International mailing procedures
  • Service by public notice
  If these steps are not properly prepared, the case may be delayed for several months.   In addition, in international divorce cases, international conventions may apply depending on the other party’s nationality or country of residence. When these factors are combined, the procedural structure can become more complex than in ordinary cases.   Therefore, in international divorce proceedings, it is important to accurately design the method of service and the overall procedural structure from the outset.    

3. What Criteria Are Used to Determine Property Division

  Having different nationalities does not mean that the standards for property division are entirely different. In principle, the division is based on assets jointly formed during the marriage.   However, in many cases, assets are distributed across multiple countries, which requires additional considerations.   For example:
  • bank accounts
  • Real estate located abroad
  • Shares in foreign companies
  • Domestic and international investment assets
  These factors require not only identifying the value of the assets, but also determining which country’s laws should apply.   In particular, in the process of property division, it is important to provide evidence of how the assets were formed and each party’s contribution.   In cases involving overseas assets, the methods of obtaining and preparing evidence may differ, making it especially important to establish a proper strategy from the preparation stage.    

4. What Procedural Issues Commonly Arise in International Divorce Cases

  In international divorce cases, the most common issues include the following:
  • Difficulty in confirming the other party’s overseas address
  • Delays in service of documents due to residence abroad
  • Assets distributed across multiple countries
  • Immigration issues proceeding simultaneously with family law procedures
  In particular, international divorce procedures are not limited to obtaining a legal judgment. It is also necessary to consider the legal status that follows afterward.   For example, factors such as the foreign spouse’s immigration status, future entry into the country, and their living base in Korea may affect the progress of the case.   For these reasons, international divorce is not simply a family law matter—it often involves immigration and administrative considerations as well.    

5. Why Should Property Division and Procedural Strategy Be Planned Together

  Many people approach international divorce by considering property issues and legal procedures separately. However, in actual cases, these two elements are closely interconnected.   For example, in cases involving overseas assets, the structure of property division can influence the overall litigation strategy. Additionally, if the international divorce process becomes prolonged, changes in the status or value of assets must also be taken into account.   Therefore, it is important to review both the asset structure and the procedural flow together from the early stages of the case.   Since decisions made during the preparation stage—such as how to secure evidence and how to structure the case—can significantly affect the outcome, careful planning at the outset is essential.    

6. Lawyer Near Me, Law Firm Majung

  International divorce is not a matter that simply ends with the dissolution of a marital relationship. It involves multiple interconnected elements, including jurisdiction, overseas service of documents, the structure of the divorce procedure, and property division.   In particular, when a foreign spouse is involved, immigration issues and administrative decisions may also have an impact, requiring a broader perspective in handling the case.   At our firm, professionals with experience in immigration enforcement participate in reviewing cases, and we operate a system that integrates both family law and visa-related legal analysis. We also provide multilingual support in English and Chinese to ensure that clients can clearly understand and communicate the details of their case without language barriers.   In this way, international divorce requires an understanding of both legal procedures and administrative factors. It is important to accurately analyze the structure of the case and to review both the divorce process and property division together.   If you are currently facing such concerns, it is recommended that you seek assistance from a legal professional to resolve the matter.   how to find a divorce lawyer? The answer is Law Firm Majung.   Multilingual consultation available in English and Chinese.   Professional interpreters assist from the first consultation to the conclusion of the case.   Offices in Seoul, Daejeon, Busan, Daegu, and Gwangju   Don’t face the legal system alone. Let Majung fight for you!
       

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