Legal Help for Foreigners in Korea: Hotlines, Free Consultations & When to Hire a Lawyer
한국 거주 외국인을 위한 법률 도움 가이드: 핫라인·무료 상담·변호사 선임
Know Where to Start
When a foreign national runs into a legal problem in Korea, it usually helps to follow the same general order: start with a free consultation through a public institution, then move to a specialized lawyer if the case needs one, and only after that consider reporting, dispute resolution, or formal legal proceedings. The hotlines and centers below are organized in that order, plus a quick lookup table so you can jump straight to the number you need.
Hotlines at a Glance
| Issue | Hotline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Visa / Immigration | 1345 | Weekdays, 9 a.m.–10 p.m. |
| Legal Consultation | 132 | Korea Legal Aid Corporation |
| Labor Issues | 1350 | Weekdays, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. |
| Police / Emergency | 112 | 24 hours |
| Domestic Violence — Danuri | 1577-1366 | 24 hours, 365 days |
| Seoul Foreign Resident Center | 02-2229-4900 | Multilingual daily-life and legal consultation |
Start Here: Immigration Contact Center 1345
The Immigration Contact Center is usually the fastest way to figure out where to go next. It gives information not only about visas, immigration, and residency status, but also about which organization to contact when you run into a legal problem in Korea (HiKorea).
- Phone: 1345 (within Korea), or log in at www.hikorea.go.kr
- From overseas: +82-2-1345
- Operating hours: Weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- After 6:00 p.m., service is mainly available in Korean, English, and Chinese.
- Multilingual consultation is available, and three-way interpretation with the relevant public institution may also be arranged.
If you are not sure which organization handles your issue, calling 1345 first is usually the most convenient starting point.
Get Free Legal Advice from the Korea Legal Aid Corporation
The Korea Legal Aid Corporation (KLAC) (klac.or.kr) provides legal consultations on a wide range of matters, including civil, criminal, housing, family, debt, and contract disputes.
Available services include:
- Telephone consultation: 132 (weekdays, standard business hours with a lunch break around midday — hours can vary, so check the official site before calling)
- In-person consultation by appointment
- Video consultation
- Online consultation
Depending on your income, residency status, and the type of case, you may also qualify for legal representation or litigation support.
Foreign-language assistance is not always available. If you are not comfortable speaking Korean, it is a good idea to bring an interpreter, or call 1345 first to ask about interpretation support.
Visit a Foreign Resident Support Center
Foreign resident centers and global centers in Seoul offer legal, labor, housing, tax, and daily-life consultations for foreign nationals. The Seoul Global Center (global.seoul.go.kr) offers consultations with specialists in law, labor, tax, business, housing, and immigration. Consultation schedules and available languages vary by center, so booking ahead is recommended.
Seoul Foreign Resident Center
- Phone: 02-2229-4900
- Address: 40 Dosin-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
- Multilingual daily-life consultation
- Legal, labor, and housing advice
- English consultation or interpretation may be available for certain programs
Programs and consultation schedules can change, so it is worth confirming availability before visiting.
Who to Contact for Each Type of Legal Problem
Unpaid Wages, Unfair Dismissal, and Employment Problems
Contact the Ministry of Employment and Labor Customer Counseling Center (moel.go.kr).
- Phone: 1350
- Operating hours: Weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Foreign-language assistance may be available in English and Chinese.
You can ask about unpaid wages, working hours, severance pay, unfair dismissal, employment contracts, workplace safety, and labor rights. If your employer has not paid your wages, you may be able to file a complaint with the local labor office after your initial consultation.
Visa, Residency, and Immigration Problems
Contact the Immigration Contact Center at 1345 for issues involving visa extensions, changes in residency status, permission to work, overstaying, departure orders, visa cancellation, or deportation and forced removal. For serious immigration matters, it is advisable to consult a lawyer with experience in immigration and administrative law.
Housing Deposit and Rent Problems
Before seeking advice on a deposit, jeonse, or monthly rent dispute, prepare:
- Rental agreement
- Bank transfer records
- Property registration documents
- Messages exchanged with the landlord
- Photos or videos of the property
- Notices received from the landlord or court
You can contact the Korea Legal Aid Corporation (132), the Seoul Foreign Resident Center (02-2229-4900), or the relevant Housing Lease Dispute Mediation Committee. Foreign resident support centers may also offer multilingual consultations on rental contracts and housing fraud prevention.
Assault, Threats, Fraud, Sexual Crimes, and Other Urgent Criminal Matters
Call the police at 112.
If you are in immediate danger:
- Move to a safe place.
- Call 112.
- Keep all available evidence.
Evidence that may matter later includes:
- Passport and residence card
- Photos and videos
- Audio recordings
- Text messages and online conversations
- Bank transfer records
- Receipts
- Medical records
- Witness information
Whether you are a victim, suspect, or witness, do not sign any document you do not fully understand — you can request interpretation and legal assistance.
Support for Marriage Migrants, Migrant Women, and Domestic Violence
Contact the Danuri Helpline (liveinkorea.kr), a special service for marriage immigrants.
- Phone: 1577-1366
- Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Multilingual consultation
- Support for domestic violence and sexual violence
- Assistance with family, residency, and daily-life problems
- Three-way interpretation may be available
When to Hire a Private Lawyer
It is strongly recommended to consult a lawyer early if your situation involves:
- Police or prosecution investigations
- The possibility of arrest or detention
- Serious criminal charges
- Departure orders or deportation
- Visa cancellation
- Large-scale fraud
- Significant housing deposit losses
- Medical disputes
- Divorce or child custody
- International family law
- Court proceedings
- A lawsuit filed against you
- An approaching legal deadline
When choosing a lawyer, do not stop at whether they speak English. Also check:
- Experience handling similar cases
- Experience with foreign clients
- Whether interpretation is included
- Consultation fees
- Retainer fees
- Additional legal costs
- Success fees
- Whether the lawyer can handle both litigation and immigration matters
- Whether the person is officially registered as a Korean attorney
You can verify a lawyer or law firm through the Korean Bar Association.
Documents to Prepare Before a Legal Consultation
Organize everything in chronological order and bring:
- Passport
- Residence card
- Contracts
- Messages — KakaoTalk conversations and emails
- Photos
- Videos
- Bank records
- Medical records
- Any documents you received from the police, court, immigration office, employer, or landlord
Keep the original documents somewhere safe. Do not hand over originals to the other party unless legally required — make scanned copies or photocopies for your own records instead.
Disclaimer
This guide is for general information only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship with X30, a lawyer featured here, or any organization named here. Operating hours, phone numbers, and program details for public institutions can change — always confirm with the official source before you rely on them. The appropriate legal process can also vary depending on your visa status, contract terms, location, available evidence, and the specific facts of your case — for advice on your own situation, contact a public legal aid organization or a qualified lawyer directly. If you are in immediate danger, call 112 first, before doing anything else.
How X30 Can Help
X30 is committed to supporting our international creator community. Living and working in Korea as a foreigner can come with challenges you did not expect — an unfair situation, a business or daily-life dispute, or a question about a contract.
X30 does not provide legal services, and choosing and retaining a lawyer is always your own decision. What X30 can offer is information and support: X30 lists a legal consultation campaign with attorney Kim Hana for members who want professional legal advice.
If you have questions about navigating life in Korea, reach out to X30 anytime through Instagram DM (@the_ninesofficial).
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