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법률칼럼Legal InsightForeigner2026. 08. 03

[International Lawyer] Foreign Assault Case in Korea: What Happens After a Police Investigation?

For foreign nationals living in Korea, an assault case does not always end with a simple criminal procedure. This is bec

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For foreign nationals living in Korea, an assault case does not always end with a simple criminal procedure.

This is because the case may involve not only police investigation, prosecution, and court decisions, but also immigration issues such as:

01
Maintaining residence status
02
Departure orders
03
Deportation review

In particular, the outcome may vary depending on the circumstances of the incident, the extent of the damage, and whether an agreement with the victim has been reached.

Therefore, foreign assault cases require careful consideration of both criminal procedures and immigration procedures.

Today, we will review the important points that foreign nationals and an international lawyer should consider when responding to an assault case in Korea.

Many foreign nationals searching for defense lawyers near me or an international lawyer are looking for assistance because criminal issues in Korea can also affect their ability to remain in the country.

CONTENTS
01What Happens After an Assault Case Is Reported?
02Immigration Review May Continue Separately From Criminal Punishment
03Settlement and the Circumstances of the Incident Can Be Important
04Criminal and Immigration Procedures Should Be Reviewed Together
05Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
06Foreign Assault Cases Require Both Criminal and Immigration Preparation

01 What Happens After an Assault Case Is Reported?

When an assault case is reported, the first step is usually a police investigation.

If a foreign national is investigated as the suspect, an international lawyer can help them explain what happened and prepare relevant evidence or documents.

After the investigation, the case may be sent to the prosecution depending on the circumstances. If charges are filed, the case may proceed to criminal trial.

Not all assault cases are treated the same.

The following factors may affect the direction of the case:

CHECK POINT
🔻 Whether it is simple assault
🔻 Whether injuries occurred
🔻 Whether multiple people were involved
🔻 Whether a weapon was used
🔻 Whether there is a history of similar offenses

Therefore, in foreign assault cases, the first step for an international lawyer is understanding the exact circumstances and preparing an appropriate response.

02 Immigration Review May Continue Separately From Criminal Punishment

For foreign nationals, completing the criminal procedure does not always mean that all issues are resolved.

Immigration authorities may conduct a separate review based on the results of the criminal case, which is why assistance from an international lawyer may be important.

During this process, factors such as the following may be considered:

RESULT
▶ Residence status
▶ Recovery of damages and agreement with the victim
▶ Length of stay in Korea
▶ Possibility of reoffending
▶ Details and seriousness of the offense
▶ Family relationships and life foundation in Korea

After reviewing these factors, immigration authorities may determine whether the person can continue maintaining their status of stay.

For this reason, foreign assault response should not focus only on criminal punishment.

Preparing for possible immigration procedures is also important.

03 Settlement and the Circumstances of the Incident Can Be Important

In assault cases, efforts to recover damages and resolve the dispute may be considered important factors.

However, an international lawyer should consider that simply reaching an agreement with the victim does not automatically resolve every issue.

Authorities may also consider:

▶ How the incident occurred
▶ The level of violence
▶ Whether the victim suffered injuries
▶ The attitude shown after the incident

For foreign nationals, criminal case results may be connected with immigration issues.

Therefore, working with an international lawyer to maintain consistent statements from the early investigation stage can be important.

i
Important
🔴 If statements repeatedly change or submitted documents contradict each other, this may negatively affect the evaluation of the case.

This is why foreign assault response requires preparation that considers the entire process from the beginning.

04 Criminal and Immigration Procedures Should Be Reviewed Together

A foreign assault case does not always end with criminal punishment.

Depending on the result, additional procedures may follow, including:

🔻 Residence extension review
🔻 Visa change issues
🔻 Departure orders
🔻 Deportation review

The review process may differ depending on the person’s residence status, such as:

Work visa holders
Marriage visa holders (F-6)
Overseas Korean visa holders (F-4)
Permanent residents (F-5)

Therefore, an international lawyer should develop the response strategy based on the individual’s immigration status.

WHY MAJUNG?
Foreign Assault Cases, Why Majung?
Criminal and immigration support together
Law Firm Majung reviews foreign criminal cases and immigration matters together.
Interpretation and multilingual communication
The firm provides interpretation support in English and Chinese and works with a Chinese-speaking lawyer from Peking University to help foreign clients communicate their situations accurately.
Case review from multiple perspectives
By reviewing both the current criminal procedure and possible immigration consequences, appropriate response strategies can be prepared.

05 Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q. Does an assault case end after the police investigation?

No.

After the police investigation, the case may proceed to prosecution or trial depending on the circumstances.

For foreign nationals, immigration procedures may also become an issue afterward.

Q. Can an assault case affect my visa status in Korea?

Yes.

Depending on the details of the case, residence status, criminal outcome, and personal circumstances, immigration authorities may review whether the person can continue staying in Korea.

Q. Does reaching an agreement with the victim solve everything?

Not always.

Settlement can be an important factor, but authorities may also consider the circumstances of the incident, degree of violence, injuries, and later conduct.

Q. When should I seek legal assistance for a foreign assault case?

It is generally better to seek advice as early as possible, especially before making important statements during the investigation.

A defense lawyer near me or an international lawyer can help review both criminal and immigration risks based on your situation.

FINAL NOTE

06 Foreign Assault Cases Require Both Criminal and Immigration Preparation

Foreign assault cases are not simply about responding to a police investigation.

Criminal procedures may continue alongside immigration review, and factors such as the circumstances of the incident, victim recovery, and residence situation may all affect the outcome.

Because early responses can influence later procedures, consulting an international lawyer can help clarify the current stage of the case and support appropriate preparation.

By reviewing both criminal and immigration issues together, foreign nationals can better prepare for the next steps and protect their ability to continue living in Korea.

Multilingual consultation available in English and Chinese.  

Professional interpreters assist from the first consultation to the conclusion of the case.  

Offices in Seoul, Daejeon, Busan, Daegu, and Gwangju

Don’t face the legal system alone. Let Majung fight for you!

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