The H-1B Shock Reshapes the Global Talent Landscape International students in STEM fields in the United States have recently been thrown into turmoil. Those who dreamed of securing full-time positions at Silicon Valley Big Tech companies after graduation now face an uncertain employment outlook following the Trump administration’s announcement of a 100-fold increase in H-1B...Read More

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Notarization The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology is expected to bring innovative changes to the notarization field. Document forgery detection systems have already entered the practical application stage, and natural language processing (NLP)-based automatic contract review and risk analysis systems have been developed and are being utilized. In...Read More

Paradigm Shift in Notarization in the Digital Age The notarization paradigm in the digital age is fundamentally changing due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and digital transformation. Previously dependent on paper documents and face-to-face authentication, the field is now undergoing an innovative transformation that simultaneously enhances accessibility, efficiency, and security of notarization by combining with...Read More

The Birth of the Apostille Convention and Limitations of Existing Authentication Procedures The “Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents” (Apostille Convention), adopted on October 5, 1961, at the Hague Conference on Private International Law, was established to facilitate international document circulation by simplifying the complex and costly consular verification procedures. The...Read More

Notarization. This word might evoke the simple act of stamping a seal on legal documents. However, the Republic of Korea’s notary system extends far beyond mere document authentication—it serves as a hidden pillar of the nation, supporting the rule of law and trust. From the signatures of government offices during the Joseon Dynasty to electronic...Read More

Tax policy as political battleground: How elections shape inheritance taxation Presidential elections in Korea have consistently proven to be pivotal moments for inheritance tax policy, with competing candidates often presenting dramatically different visions for wealth transfer taxation. Throughout Korea’s democratic history, inheritance tax has served as more than a revenue mechanism—it functions as a powerful...Read More

Proactive planning can save generations of wealth Given Korea’s substantial inheritance tax rates reaching up to 60%, proactive planning becomes not merely advantageous but essential for preserving family wealth. While basic compliance ensures avoiding penalties, strategic planning can dramatically reduce the overall tax burden through legitimate methods recognized by Korean tax authorities. Understanding and implementing...Read More

Cross-border considerations: When Korean inheritance tax affects global assets Korean inheritance tax law extends beyond national borders, creating significant implications for both overseas Koreans and foreigners with assets in Korea. Understanding the international dimensions of this tax system is essential for effective planning and compliance. The fundamental principle in Korean inheritance taxation is that Korean...Read More

Navigating the procedural maze: A step-by-step approach The inheritance tax filing process in Korea involves multiple steps and strict deadlines that must be carefully managed to avoid penalties. Understanding this procedural framework is essential for all heirs, regardless of whether they ultimately have tax liability. The process begins with the creation of an inventory of...Read More

Knowledge is your best defense against tax penalties South Korea maintains one of the highest inheritance tax rates globally, with maximum rates reaching 60% for large estates. Understanding the fundamental structure of this tax system is essential for effective estate planning and compliance. Unlike many countries that use the estate tax model (taxing the decedent’s...Read More