Key Summary
If you've been called for police questioning in Korea, get English-speaking legal advice from attorney Doyun Lee before your interview.
Summary
If you have received a summons or phone call from Korean police asking you to attend an interview, you should consult an English-speaking attorney before the interview date — not after.
1. Am I legally required to attend a police interview in Korea?
In Korean criminal procedure, a suspect is not legally obligated to attend a voluntary police interview. If you receive a summons labeled as a voluntary attendance request, you may decline, though repeated non-attendance can result in a compulsory summons issued by a prosecutor. The key distinction is whether you are being treated as a witness or as a suspect: suspects have the right to remain silent and to have an attorney present, while witnesses generally have an obligation to appear and testify. Confirming your status before the interview prevents you from unknowingly waiving rights you are entitled to.
2. Can I bring my own attorney to a Korean police interview?
Yes. Under the Korean Criminal Procedure Act, a suspect has the right to have a defense attorney present at every stage of questioning. Your attorney can raise objections to inappropriate questions, advise you on your right to remain silent with respect to specific questions, and review any written statement prepared by the investigator before you sign it. Do not sign any document at the police station until your attorney has reviewed it — summary statements are routinely used as primary evidence at trial. If you cannot communicate effectively in Korean, also confirm that a professional interpreter, not just a bilingual officer, will be present.
3. What should I check before attending a Korean police interview?
Before your interview date, verify four things in writing: the exact charge or suspicion you are being questioned about, the name and badge number of the investigating officer, whether a certified interpreter will be provided, and what documents or evidence you are expected to bring. Knowing the specific charge allows your attorney to prepare the right legal strategy in advance. If the charge is not clearly communicated to you, you have the right to ask the officer to specify it. Arriving unprepared to a Korean police interview is one of the most common and avoidable mistakes foreign nationals make in criminal cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do Korean police interviews have to be conducted in Korean? A: No. If you are not proficient in Korean, you are entitled to an interpreter under Korean criminal procedure. Request an interpreter in writing as early as possible and confirm the arrangement in advance of the interview date.
Q: I already attended a police interview without a lawyer. Can I still get legal help? A: Yes. Consulting an attorney after an initial interview is still valuable. An attorney can review what was said, identify any procedural issues with the statement taken, and prepare a strategy for subsequent investigations, the prosecutor's inquiry, or a potential indictment.
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A criminal case in Korea can affect your legal status, visa renewal, and school life — not just the outcome of the investigation. Before your police interview, confirm the date, the alleged charge, the interpreter arrangement, and what documents to bring.
Internal link: Legal Consultation for Foreigners and International Students in Korea / English and Chinese consultation available
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Already outside Korea and planning to return?
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Attorney Doyun Lee, a KBA-certified criminal law specialist, reviews criminal matters directly. Remote representation is available nationwide in Korea.