Korea Child Support Enforcement Calculator

Estimate unpaid Korean child support, statutory delay interest, wage garnishment, enforcement costs, Child Support Agency support, and possible sanctions.

Unpaid child support

Execution title

Obligor assets and support agency

Claimable arrears

₩6,087,500

Unpaid principal plus statutory delay interest.

Delay interest

₩87,500

5% annual rate applied.

Recommended path

Wage garnishment

About 1-2 months, filing cost ₩18,600

Estimated filing cost

₩18,600

For the recommended enforcement method.

Arrears summary

Monthly unpaid amount
₩1,000,000
Unpaid principal
₩6,000,000
Interest months calculated
6 monthly entries
Total claimable amount
₩6,087,500

Wage garnishment estimate

Estimated net salary
₩2,608,803
Protected amount
₩1,746,241
Ordinary garnishable amount
₩554,402
Child-support additional reach
₩308,160
Total garnishable per month
₩862,562
Bracket
Half of the amount above KRW 1.5M

Enforcement method comparison

Enforcement order

KRW 1 x 10K

About 1-2 months - recommended for the selected assets

Detention order

KRW 1 x 10K

About 2-3 months

Wage garnishment

KRW 2 x 10K

About 1-2 months - recommended for the selected assets

Agency support and sanctions

Emergency support
Not selected
Advance payment
Check income eligibility
Driver license suspension
Possible after 3+ months unpaid
Travel ban / public disclosure threshold
₩50,000,000 arrears
Enforcement fine cap
30% of unpaid support

Related calculators

What Is the Korea Child Support Enforcement Calculator?

This calculator estimates unpaid child support in Korea and compares the practical enforcement routes available to the custodial parent. It calculates unpaid principal, statutory delay interest, possible filing costs, wage-garnishment limits, Child Support Agency support, and additional sanctions that may become available when arrears grow.

The model follows the Korean page and reflects 2026 references to the Civil Act, Family Litigation Act, Civil Execution Act, and the Act on Enforcing and Supporting Child Support Payment. It also reflects the child support advance payment system scheduled from July 1, 2025.

Who Uses This Calculator?

  • Custodial parents who have not received court-ordered or agreed child support.
  • Parents checking unpaid support, delay interest, and a realistic enforcement sequence.
  • People comparing enforcement order, detention order, wage garnishment, deposit garnishment, real-estate auction, and vehicle execution.
  • Applicants considering support from the Child Support Agency and its emergency or advance payment systems.
  • Lawyers, judicial scriveners, and counselors explaining child support collection options under Korean law.

Legal Basis for Enforcement

Child Support Claim and Direct Payment

Child support obligations are based on parental responsibility under the Korean Civil Act. Child support fixed by divorce agreement, mediation, judgment, or a family court order can become an enforceable obligation. If the obligor does not pay, the obligee may use family court measures and civil execution.

  • Civil Act Article 837: custody and child support matters are agreed by parents or decided by the court.
  • Civil Act Article 837-2: direct payment can be ordered for support obligations.
  • Family Litigation Act: provides enforcement order and detention order procedures in family matters.
  • Child Support Enforcement Act: establishes support services, sanctions, and collection support.

Execution Titles

Compulsory execution normally requires an execution title. The title is the official document proving the child support obligation.

  • Final judgment: a family court judgment ordering support.
  • Mediation record: a family court mediation or settlement record containing support terms.
  • Support burden record: a document prepared in divorce by consent that records support terms.
  • Notarized deed: a notarized support agreement with an enforcement consent clause.
  • Enforcement order: a family court order requiring the obligor to pay.

Unpaid Support and Delay Interest

2026 Interest Rates Used

Unpaid child support can carry delay interest. The calculator applies the same two-rate structure as the Korean page.

  • Civil Act statutory interest: 5% per year for ordinary unpaid support.
  • Post-judgment delay interest: 12% per year after a final judgment, under the litigation promotion framework.

For example, six months of unpaid KRW 1,000,000 monthly support creates KRW 6,000,000 in principal before interest. Interest grows with each unpaid month, so early enforcement can materially reduce the total arrears.

Enforcement Methods Compared

1. Enforcement Order

An enforcement order is often the first family court step. The filing stamp is treated as free in the calculator and service of process is estimated at two parties x KRW 5,200, or KRW 10,400.

  • Noncompliance may lead to an administrative fine up to KRW 10,000,000.
  • A detention order may be requested after unjustified noncompliance.
  • This route creates formal pressure at a low filing cost.

2. Detention Order

A detention order can detain an obligor for up to 30 days when the obligor has the ability to pay but does not comply without justifiable reason. It is powerful but fact-intensive.

  • An enforcement order should generally be obtained first.
  • The applicant must show noncompliance and ability to pay.
  • Use this only after checking the obligor's actual income and assets.

3. Wage Garnishment

Wage garnishment is often the most effective route when the obligor is employed. The calculator uses a KRW 3,000 stamp and three service parties for a base filing estimate of KRW 18,600.

  • Up to KRW 1.5M monthly salary: protected from garnishment.
  • KRW 1.5M to 3M: one-half of the amount above KRW 1.5M may be reachable.
  • KRW 3M to 6M: KRW 750,000 plus one-half of the excess above KRW 3M may be reachable.
  • Above KRW 6M: up to one-half of wages may be reachable.
  • Child support claims may have a broader reach than ordinary civil claims.

4. Deposits, Real Estate, and Vehicles

If wages are unavailable or arrears are large, bank deposits, real estate, and vehicles can be targeted. Deposit garnishment uses the same KRW 3,000 stamp and three-party service estimate as wage garnishment. Real-estate auction and vehicle execution require larger filing, appraisal, sale, and execution costs and can take longer.

  • Deposit garnishment: fast when the bank account is known, but protected deposit balances may apply.
  • Real-estate auction: useful for large arrears, often 6 to 12 months and higher upfront costs.
  • Vehicle execution: often 1 to 3 months, with seizure and sale costs.

Child Support Agency Support

Emergency Support

The Child Support Agency can provide temporary emergency support when a custodial parent is not receiving support. The calculator uses KRW 200,000 per child per month for up to 9 months.

Advance Payment System from July 1, 2025

From July 1, 2025, the state advance payment system is designed to pay support first and recover from the obligor later. The calculator uses KRW 200,000 per child per month and the income condition of 150% or less of standard median income.

  • Amount: KRW 200,000 per child per month.
  • Period: continues until the obligor performs, subject to statutory conditions.
  • Income condition: 150% or less of standard median income.

Collection Support

The agency can help with consultation, enforcement support, asset inquiry, and collection procedures.

  • Phone: 1644-6621, weekdays 09:00-18:00.
  • Online: childsupport.or.kr.

Additional Sanctions

Korean child support enforcement law provides sanctions beyond ordinary compulsory execution. The calculator flags these thresholds so the user can see when pressure tools may become relevant.

  • Enforcement fine: up to 30% of unpaid support may be imposed as an enforcement fine.
  • Driver license suspension: may be requested when child support is unpaid for 3 months or more.
  • Travel ban: may be requested for arrears of KRW 50,000,000 or more and continued nonpayment without justifiable reason.
  • Public disclosure: may apply at the KRW 50,000,000 arrears threshold.

How to Use the Calculator

1. Enter Support and Arrears

Enter the monthly support amount, number of children, unpaid months, and any partial monthly payments actually received.

2. Select the Execution Title

Choose the document you have: judgment, mediation record, support burden record, notarized deed, or enforcement order.

3. Enter Known Assets

Select wages, deposits, real estate, vehicles, or business income. Wage garnishment is only calculated when salary information is entered.

4. Review Enforcement and Agency Support

Compare filing cost, expected duration, wage-garnishment capacity, agency support, and sanctions before choosing a practical next step.

FAQ

Can I enforce if I never received child support?

Yes, if you have an execution title. If you do not, you generally need to obtain a court decision, mediation record, support burden record, notarized deed with enforcement consent, or enforcement order first.

What if I do not know the obligor's assets?

The Child Support Agency can support asset inquiry and collection procedures. A court route may also allow asset disclosure or inquiry measures.

Who initially pays enforcement costs?

The applicant typically pays filing and execution costs first, but recoverable execution expenses can later be claimed from the obligor.

Is there a limitation period?

Ordinary child support claims can be affected by limitation periods, and support fixed by judgment or mediation may have a longer limitation period. Check the dates before waiting on old arrears.

Do Not Let Child Support Arrears Drift

Child support belongs to the child. Use the calculator to estimate arrears, interest, enforcement cost, and support programs before selecting a collection route.

Child Support Agency: 1644-6621 | childsupport.or.kr