Korea’s Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties: Complete Analysis of 35 Treaties with 22 Countries
Comprehensive Overview of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties
| Country | Treaty Type | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | Criminal | June 20, 2014 |
| New Zealand | Criminal | March 30, 2000 |
| Russian Federation | Criminal | August 10, 2001 |
| Malaysia | Criminal | September 26, 2013 |
| Mexico | Criminal | January 18, 2007 |
| Mongolia | Criminal | January 27, 2000 |
| Mongolia | Civil & Commercial | May 8, 2010 |
| United States | Criminal | May 23, 1997 |
| Vietnam | Criminal | April 19, 2005 |
| Belgium | Criminal | September 29, 2012 |
| Bulgaria | Criminal | April 8, 2010 |
| Brazil | Criminal | February 8, 2006 |
| Spain | Criminal | December 1, 2012 |
| United Arab Emirates | Criminal | May 17, 2017 |
| Argentina | Criminal | July 26, 2013 |
| Algeria | Criminal | June 15, 2007 |
| Uzbekistan | Criminal | November 23, 2004 |
| Uzbekistan | Civil & Commercial | August 11, 2013 |
| India | Criminal | June 8, 2005 |
| Indonesia | Criminal | April 3, 2014 |
| Japan | Criminal | January 26, 2007 |
| China | Criminal | March 24, 2000 |
| China | Civil & Commercial | April 27, 2005 |
| Canada | Criminal | February 1, 1995 |
| Kazakhstan | Criminal | September 10, 2012 |
| Cambodia | Criminal | February 24, 2021 |
| Kyrgyzstan | Criminal | September 11, 2021 |
| Kuwait | Criminal | April 8, 2008 |
| Thailand | Criminal | April 6, 2005 |
| Thailand | Civil & Commercial | April 16, 2015 |
| Peru | Criminal | July 20, 2016 |
| France | Criminal | March 8, 1997 |
| Philippines | Criminal | November 17, 2008 |
| Australia | Criminal | December 19, 1993 |
| Australia | Civil | January 16, 2000 |
Total: 22 Countries, 35 Treaties
※ Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties: 29, Civil & Commercial Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties: 6
Regional Analysis of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties
Asia-Pacific Region (11 Countries)
In the Asia-Pacific region, treaties with major economic partners such as China, Japan, and Australia stand out. Particularly with China, Korea has established the most comprehensive mutual legal assistance framework by concluding treaties in both criminal (2000) and civil & commercial (2005) areas.
European Region (4 Countries)
In Europe, Korea has concluded criminal mutual legal assistance treaties with France (1997), Belgium (2012), Spain (2012), and Bulgaria (2010). This provides an important foundation for Korean companies expanding into Europe and resolving legal disputes in the EU region.
Americas Region (6 Countries)
Korea has concluded treaties with the United States (1997), Canada (1995), Brazil (2006), Mexico (2007), Argentina (2013), and Peru (2016), forming a network that spans both North and South America.
Recent Treaty Trends and Characteristics
In the 2020s, Korea has continued its expansion into Southeast Asia and Central Asia by bringing new criminal mutual legal assistance treaties with Cambodia (February 2021) and Kyrgyzstan (September 2021) into effect. This aligns with Korea’s expanding global economic activities.
Key Points to Note
- Civil and commercial treaties are limited to only 6, requiring future expansion
- African region is limited to only South Africa
- Middle East region is limited to UAE, Kuwait, and Algeria
Practical Applications
Mutual legal assistance treaties are not merely diplomatic formalities but important tools utilized in actual legal practice. When international legal disputes arise, swift and efficient cooperation with treaty partner countries is possible, with particularly notable effects in evidence collection and document service processes.
Key Application Points by Treaty Type
Criminal Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (29)
Investigative cooperation, extradition, evidence collection, and all aspects of criminal procedures
Civil & Commercial Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (6)
Contract disputes, intellectual property disputes, commercial arbitration, and civil dispute resolution
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