Not legal advice. This is general information, not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Key facts
- A DUI arrest in South Korea can have catastrophic consequences for foreign residents, including criminal prosecution and subsequent immigration enforcement. Proper criminal defense is necessary to mitigate penalties and avoid reaching the deportation threshold.
1. Korean DUI Legal Thresholds
2. Criminal Penalties for Drunk Driving
3. Immigration Consequences and Deportation Risk
4. Defense Strategies against DUI Charges
What to do
- Do not refuse the police breathalyzer test; refusal is a separate serious crime.
- Remain silent regarding the facts of the incident until you have a lawyer.
- Do not admit fault or offer settlements to victims without legal counsel.
- Secure any dashcam (black box) footage immediately.
- Contact a criminal defense lawyer who understands immigration consequences.
Key defense objectives & outcomes
Reduction of criminal fines below the deportation threshold
Suspended prosecution (기소유예) for first-time offenders
Mitigation of immigration penalties (avoiding visa cancellation)
Quick answers
Will I be deported for a first-time DUI?
If your criminal fine is ₩3 million or more, you face a very high risk of deportation. Effective criminal defense is required to lower the penalty and protect your visa.
Can I drive again in Korea?
If your license is revoked, you must wait out the revocation period (usually 1 to 2 years) before you can reapply and take the driving test again.
What happens to my International Driving Permit (IDP)?
Your IDP will be invalidated for use in Korea, and driving with it after a DUI suspension or revocation constitutes driving without a license, an additional serious crime.
- Road Traffic Act
- KLRI
- Korean Bar Association