We have received many inquiries regarding the child support obligation and custody/visitation rights under Korean law.  Some cases are related to the divorcing parties and some to the unmarried couples who had babies during the relationship.

In case of unmarried couples, the birth father has no parental rights and obligations until his paternity is established in Korea.  That can be done in 2 ways.  One is to report himself as the father with the Korean local government and the other one is filing a paternity suit.

When the parental relationship is established, the parties need to agree on the matters of child custody, visitation and child support.  The same goes for the couple divorcing in South Korea.  When it is hard to reach an agreement, (more…)