I keep signing contracts in Korea -- for my apartment, phone, gym, and work -- but I don't fully understand?
I keep signing contracts in Korea -- for my apartment, phone, gym, and work -- but I don't fully understand what I'm agreeing to. What are the basics of Korean contract law that every foreigner should know? Are contracts enforceable if they're only in Korean?
Note: This is an editorial persona question created from common experiences of foreign residents in Korea.
1 Answer
Korean contracts are legally enforceable, and a signed contract (or even a clear verbal agreement in some cases) binds you, so read before signing and keep a copy, which is your right. The big ones to watch are lease contracts (deposit terms, notice periods, early-termination penalties), phone and internet contracts (2 to 3 year commitments with big cancellation fees), and gym memberships (which have consumer-protection rules on refunds for unused months). If a term seems unfair, you can dispute it, and the Korea Consumer Agency (1372) handles consumer disputes. For anything major like housing, have a Korean-speaking friend or the contract translated before you sign.