# Korea medical dispute FAQ

> Korea Patient Rights Guide answers common questions about medical dispute mediation in Korea from the law and official pages.

It does not answer whether a particular case will succeed; the agency or a lawyer can assess that.

Written by the Korea Patient Rights Guide editorial team on October 22, 2026. Canonical address: https://kpatientrights.org/faq.

## What kinds of medical dispute questions are answered here?

Questions about the procedure, deadlines, fees and routes, not questions about a particular case or institution.

## What else do people ask about Korea medical dispute?

### What is the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency?

The public body set up under the Medical Dispute Mediation Act to mediate and arbitrate medical disputes. It was established in April 2012.

### Does mediation start if the hospital does not agree?

Usually not; the application is dismissed after 14 days without a reply. Death, a coma of a month or more and a severe disability start mediation automatically.

### How much is the mediation fee?

₩22,000 for claims up to ₩5 million, rising with the amount claimed, according to the agency’s fee page.

### Can a foreign patient apply from abroad?

Yes, by e-mail or fax, according to the agency’s English guidance. Forms are in Korean.

### What is the time limit for applying?

3 years from learning of the harm and who caused it, and 10 years from the end of the treatment, whichever comes first.

### Does Korea Patient Rights Guide give legal advice?

No. It is not a law firm and does not assess cases, represent anyone or refer lawyers.

## Where do these numbers come from?

- [Act on Remedies for Injuries from Medical Malpractice and Mediation of Medical Disputes](https://www.law.go.kr/법령/의료사고피해구제및의료분쟁조정등에관한법률) - Korea Law Information Center
- [Mediation and arbitration fees (fee table, reductions and refunds)](https://www.k-medi.or.kr/web/lay1/S1T132C157/contents.do) - Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency
- [Guidance for mediation application (English)](https://www.k-medi.or.kr/eng/lay1/S239T385C453/contents.do) - Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency
- [Agency history](https://www.k-medi.or.kr/web/lay1/S1T15C100/contents.do) - Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency