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Seoul South Korea - What are the District Courts and Which Communities Do They Serve

January 26, 2026 posted by Steve Brownstein

In Seoul, South Korea, the judiciary includes several district courts that serve different areas within the city and surrounding regions. Each district court handles a range of civil, criminal, and administrative cases for the communities within its jurisdiction.

Main District Courts in Seoul and Their Jurisdictions

  1. Seoul Central District Court

    • Jurisdiction: Primarily covers central Seoul districts, including Jung-gu, Jongno-gu, Yongsan-gu, and parts of Gangnam-gu and Seocho-gu.

    • Function: This is the largest and busiest district court in South Korea, handling a significant portion of the city's major legal cases, both civil and criminal. It also serves as the appellate court for cases decided by lower courts within its jurisdiction.

  2. Seoul Eastern District Court

    • Jurisdiction: Covers Gangdong-gu, Gwangjin-gu, Songpa-gu, and Seongdong-gu.

    • Function: Manages cases specific to its eastern districts, including a variety of civil, criminal, family, and administrative cases.

  3. Seoul Western District Court

    • Jurisdiction: Serves western districts, such as Mapo-gu, Eunpyeong-gu, Seodaemun-gu, and Jungnang-gu.

    • Function: Handles cases from these western regions and has divisions for civil, criminal, and family cases.

  4. Seoul Southern District Court

    • Jurisdiction: Includes Gangnam-gu, Seocho-gu, Gwanak-gu, and Dongjak-gu.

    • Function: Handles cases for southern Seoul, covering an area known for its high population density. This court also manages significant civil and commercial cases due to the economic activity in its jurisdiction.

  5. Seoul Northern District Court

    • Jurisdiction: Covers the northern districts, including Nowon-gu, Dobong-gu, Seongbuk-gu, and Gangbuk-gu.

    • Function: Responsible for legal cases in Seoul’s northern communities, including civil, criminal, and administrative matters.

Specialized Courts within Seoul

Additionally, Seoul has specialized courts that handle specific types of cases across the city:

  • Seoul Family Court: Manages family-related cases, including divorces, child custody, and inheritance cases across Seoul.

  • Seoul Administrative Court: Deals exclusively with administrative lawsuits, such as cases involving disputes with government actions or regulations.

  • Seoul Bankruptcy Court: Handles bankruptcy cases, a division of the Seoul Central District Court.

These district courts are organized to provide efficient legal services across Seoul’s distinct regions and address the particular legal needs of each community within the city.


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