[JIPYONG LLC] Korea Legal Insight (March 3, 2026)

KOREA LEGAL INSIGHT
K-Discovery: Korea’s New Discovery Rules and What It Means for Korean Litigants
March 3, 2026

On January 29, 2026, Korea’s Legislature passed amendments to the Act on the Promotion of Mutually Beneficial Cooperation between Large Enterprises and Small and Medium Enterprises (the “Cooperation Act”). The amendments introduce, for the first time, statutory rules for evidence disclosure commonly referred to as “K-Discovery”. The new discovery rules taking effect two years after the promulgation are expected to strengthen parties’ access to evidence through on-site inspection by experts, preservation orders, and broader admission of investigative materials.

1.	Policy Background
2.	Key Features of the K-Discovery
3.	Statutory Recognition of Attorney-Client Privilege
4.	Expanded Pre-Contract Coverage

Seung Dae PARK

Eunji HAN

Jinhee KIM

Somin K. JUN

Yong Ik LEE

KLI Editors

Jinhee KIM

Andrew J. PARK

Sanghee LEE

Seung Min LEE

26F, Grand Central A, 14 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul T. +82-2-6200-1600 E. master@jipyong.com

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