Korea Child Support Calculator

Calculate Korean child support using the Seoul Family Court support table, parent income share, child age bands, residence adjustment, child-count adjustment, and special monthly costs.

Parents and children

Residence adjustment

Monthly support owed

₩963,811

Non-custodial parent's share.

Annual support owed

₩11,565,732

Payer share ratio

63.6%

Payer income divided by combined parent income.

Until all children turn 19

₩104,091,578

Based on current ages only.

Calculation basis

Combined monthly income
550 x 10K KRW
Income bracket index
5 of 11
Residence coefficient
1.079
Children-count coefficient
1.065
Special costs per month
₩0
Total monthly support before share
₩1,514,560

Child-by-child table

Child 1, Age 9-11
₩1,514,560 / mo

The calculation uses the same Seoul Family Court support table, 11 income brackets, six age bands, residence adjustment, child-count adjustment, and special-cost conversion as the Korean page.

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What Is the Korea Child Support Calculator?

This calculator estimates child support in Korea for divorce, separation, or child-support negotiation. It uses the Seoul Family Court child support guideline table revised in 2021 and effective from March 1, 2022. Parent income, child ages, number of children, residence adjustment, and special monthly costs are reflected.

Child support is a shared parental obligation. Under Article 837 of the Korean Civil Act, matters concerning child custody and support are agreed by the parents or decided by the family court if agreement fails. This calculator applies the same support table and adjustment coefficients as the Korean page.

Who Uses This Calculator?

  • Parents preparing divorce mediation, divorce trial, or child support negotiation in Korea.
  • Custodial or non-custodial parents checking whether a proposed support amount is close to guideline levels.
  • Parents seeking a support modification after income or child expense changes.
  • Lawyers, judicial scriveners, and counselors explaining likely support under Korean practice.
  • Parents preparing for consultation with the Child Support Agency.

Understanding the Child Support Guideline Table

What Is the Guideline Table?

The Seoul Family Court table gives reference monthly child support by combined parent income and child age. It is not mechanically binding like a statute, but it is the most important practical reference used by Korean courts.

  • Base assumption: average child support per child for a 4-person household with 2 children.
  • Income brackets: 11 parent combined monthly income brackets, from KRW 0 to 1.99 million up to KRW 12 million or more.
  • Age brackets: six bands based on full age: 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-11, 12-14, and 15-18.
  • Income scope: wages, business income, rent, interest, pensions, and other net income sources.

Main 2021 Revisions

The 2021 revision increased support levels to reflect price and income changes. It expanded income brackets from 8 to 11 and divided age groups more finely than the old table.

  • Income range expanded: the highest bracket moved from KRW 8 million or more to KRW 12 million or more.
  • Age bands refined: the old 6-11 age group was split into 6-8 and 9-11.
  • Maximum support increased: the top monthly figure rose from about KRW 2.66 million to KRW 2.88 million.
  • Childcare support considered: public childcare support was reflected in younger age bands.

Adjustment Coefficients

Because the standard table assumes a 4-person household with 2 children, the calculator applies coefficients for residence and number of children.

Residence Adjustment

  • Urban residence: x 1.079, a 7.9% increase for higher living costs.
  • Rural residence: x 0.835, a 16.5% decrease for lower living costs.

Number of Children

  • 1 child: x 1.065, a 6.5% increase.
  • 2 children: x 1.000, the base value.
  • 3 or more children: x 0.783, a 21.7% decrease per child due to household economies of scale.

How Child Support Is Calculated

1. Confirm Parent Income

Enter monthly gross income for the non-custodial parent and custodial parent. The combined amount determines one of 11 income brackets.

2. Enter Child Ages

Each child is assigned to one of six age bands. Older children often have higher education and living expenses.

3. Apply Coefficients

Residence and number-of-children coefficients are applied to the standard support amount. Extra medical and education costs can be added monthly.

4. Allocate the Non-Custodial Parent Share

The payer share is payer income divided by combined parent income. That share is applied to total monthly support.

Child Support Claim and Enforcement Context

Agreement in Divorce by Consent

In a divorce by consent, the parents agree on support amount and payment method. Recording the agreement in a divorce agreement or support burden record helps secure enforceability.

If agreement fails, a party can request a family court adjudication on child support.

Family Court Child Support Adjudication

If the parents do not agree, or if a parent seeks support after divorce, the family court can decide child support. The court considers the guideline table and individual circumstances such as special medical or education costs.

A party can appeal within the procedural period. If circumstances later change, a support modification request can be filed.

Child Support Agency

The Child Support Agency under the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family provides support for child support consultation, legal support, collection support, and temporary emergency support.

Selected Services

  • Support for child support agreement and legal counseling.
  • Demand and collection support for unpaid child support.
  • Temporary emergency support of KRW 200,000 per child per month for up to 9 months.
  • Child support advance payment system from July 1, 2025, at KRW 200,000 per child per month.
  • Parent-child visitation support.

FAQ

Is the guideline table legally binding?

The table is a guideline, not a statute. However, it is highly influential in family court decisions, and courts usually start from it before adjusting for case-specific facts.

Does a parent with no income still owe child support?

Yes, the parental support obligation exists regardless of income. The lowest income bracket can still be used, though the court may reduce or defer payment if actual ability is absent.

Until what age is child support owed?

In principle, support is owed until the child reaches adulthood at full age 19. Some decisions have considered university enrollment, while early financial independence can affect the obligation.

Can support be increased or decreased later?

Yes. A parent may file for modification when circumstances change, such as income changes, increased education costs, illness, remarriage, or other material changes.

What if child support is not paid?

Korean law allows enforcement measures such as detention order, driver license suspension, passport restriction, travel ban, public disclosure, collection support, and compulsory execution through the Child Support Agency or court.

Reference Points When Estimating Support

  • Income is gross monthly income: include wages, business income, rent, interest, dividends, pensions, and similar net income sources.
  • Special costs may be separate: high medical costs, disability-related care, overseas study, or special education can be considered separately.
  • Parent assets may matter: significant real estate or financial assets can influence support even if monthly income is low.
  • Visitation and direct care can be relevant: substantial direct care by the non-custodial parent may affect final support.
  • Inflation can matter: the current table is based on the 2021 revision, so courts may consider later price increases.

Legal Basis

Civil Act

  • Article 837: custody and support matters on divorce are agreed by the parents or decided by the court.
  • Article 837-2: direct payment order can require support payment from the obligor income source.
  • Article 913: a person with parental authority has the right and duty to protect and educate the child.

Child Support Enforcement Laws

  • Act on Enforcing and Supporting Child Support Payment: establishes the Child Support Agency and support mechanisms.
  • Family Litigation Act: governs child support adjudication and modification procedures.
  • Advance payment system: from July 1, 2025, the state can advance support and later recover from the obligor.