1. Overview of the Case
Many Koreans living abroad engage in transactions with Korean companies.
In particular, when exporting goods to Korea, it is common for sellers to trust a counterparty simply because it is a “Korean company,”
However, despite this trust, instances arise where payments are withheld and the counterparty avoids contact.
Why does this happen?
The reason is that the counterparty assumes that, because the seller is located overseas, pursuing legal action will be challenging — and that being outside of Korea means the seller will ultimately give up.
Of course, initiating a lawsuit in Korea from abroad can be burdensome.
In such cases, one highly effective measure is to send a formal “certification of contents(내용증명)” through an attorney.
In Korea, a certification of contents is an official, legally recognized document — far more authoritative than a simple letter — and can compel the debtor to respond and take action.
Retaining an experienced attorney to send a certification of contents is an excellent choice.
An expert can do much more than just send a document — they can apply their knowledge and experience to help resolve the dispute quickly and effectively.
With a proven track record of resolving numerous cases of this nature, Kim & Rhee Law Office is well-prepared to support and protect client' interests.
2. The Attorney’s Resolution
The client operated a business on the East Coast of the United States.
One of their main buyers was a distribution company based in Korea.
The Korean company requested a large quantity of goods, and the client shipped multiple orders accordingly.
However, after the goods were delivered, the Korean company failed to make any payments.
The client repeatedly requested payment via email, but these requests were ignored, and the Korean company refused to respond.
At this point, the client felt it was no longer feasible to write off the debt and decided to pursue legal remedies.
While searching for an attorney, the client came across Kim & Rhee Law Office and consulted our team about potential ways to resolve the issue.
The client hoped to avoid formal litigation, and in response, the attorney proposed sending a certification of contents to apply legal pressure and compel the counterparty to make the payment.
With the client’s formal authorization, Kim & Rhee Law Office compiled the transaction history and itemized the unpaid balance.
The attorneys then drafted a formal certification of contents, clearly stating the deadline for payment, and delivered it to the counterparty.
3. Settlement of the Case
After receiving the certification of contents, the Korean company attempted to reduce the payment amount.
However, the client proposed accepting only the principal amount and waiving any claim for interest.
The counterparty was warned that if the full amount was not paid, immediate civil litigation would be pursued.
Under this pressure, the Korean company ultimately remitted the full amount due.
Since the client was located overseas, the funds were received through the lawyer’s trust account and subsequently transferred to the client.
A certification of contents is more than a simple request for payment.
It clearly states that if the claim is not satisfied, further legal steps — including civil litigation and enforcement proceedings — will be pursued.
Its legal basis is precise, well-documented, and enforceable.
Kim & Rhee Law Office has resolved countless cases for clients located outside of Korea.
Its expertise and strong track record stem from the attorneys’ experience living and working overseas, combined with their dedication to seeing every matter through to a successful conclusion.
If you are located outside of Korea, you don’t have to give up on your right to seek payment.
You can assert your rights effectively and reliably with the help of a qualified and experienced expert.