Important Legal and Traffic Law Changes in Korea (Effective This Year)

The following penalties are expected to take effect in the second half of the year:

A. Assault and Public Order Offences

1. Grabbing someone by the collar: Fine of 1,000,000 KRW.
2. Sending threatening text messages: Fine of 500,000 KRW.
3. Threatening to kill someone while making a threatening gesture (e.g., pretending to strike them): Minimum fine of 2,000,000 KRW.
4. Slapping a friend during a drinking gathering or argument: Fine of 1,000,000 KRW or more.
5. If an argument escalates into a physical assault, penalties depend on the severity of the victim's injuries:
6. Minor injury: 500,000 KRW or more
7. Moderate injury: 1,000,000 KRW or more
8. Serious injury: 2,000,000 KRW or more

B. Traffic Law Enforcement

1. Beginning in the second half of the year, drivers who stop beyond the stop line at a pedestrian crossing may receive: 60,000 KRW fine and

up to 10 demerit points.

1. Police will conduct intensive enforcement with approximately 5,000 officers. Please share this information with other drivers.

C. Drunk Driving Penalties

1. Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.20% or higher equals a Fine of up to 10,000,000 KRW and 1–3 years imprisonment.
2. BAC of 0.10% or higher equals Fine of up to 5,000,000 KRW and 6 months–1 year imprisonment.
3. BAC of 0.05% or higher :Fine of up to 3,000,000 KRW and Up to 6 months imprisonment

D. Traffic Violations

1. Speeding over 60 km/h above the limit: 120,000 KRW (60 points)
2. Speeding over 40 km/h above the limit: 90,000 KRW (30 points)
3. Speeding over 20 km/h above the limit: 60,000 KRW (15 points)

4.Speeding 20 km/h or less above the limit: 30,000 KRW.

1. Crossing the center line: 60,000 KRW (30 points)
2. Running a red light: 60,000 KRW (15 points)
3. Using a mobile phone while driving: 60,000 KRW (15 points)
4. Crossing the stop line at a crosswalk: 60,000 KRW (10 points)
5. Illegal U-turn: 60,000 KRW
6. Illegal parking or stopping: 40,000 KRW
7. Blocking an intersection ("tailgating" through a junction): 40,000 KRW
8. Failure to wear a seat belt: 30,000 KRW
9. Improper lane changing (cutting in): 30,000 KRW
10. Pedestrian signal violation: 30,000 KRW
11. Jaywalking: 30,000 KRW

E. Public Order Offences

1. Obstruction of business: 160,000 KRW
2. Prank calls or stalking: 80,000 KRW
3. Leaving a restaurant without paying (dine-and-dash): 50,000 KRW
4. Public urination: 50,000 KRW
5. Disorderly conduct while intoxicated: 50,000 KRW
6. Littering cigarette butts: 30,000 KRW
7. Obstructing a public official in the performance of their duties: Fine of up to 10,000,000 KRW

and Up to 5 years imprisonment.
8.Causing a disturbance while intoxicated at a police station or local police office: Up to 600,000 KRW

1. Making a false emergency report to 112: Up to 600,000 KRW

N.B: This is a translation of the Korean text provided. It should not be taken as confirmation that all of these penalties are newly introduced or currently in force. If you plan to circulate this as legal information, it is advisable to verify the details against official Korean government or National Police Agency announcements.