ACT ON SPECIAL CASES CONCERNING FAMILY RELATIONSHIP, INHERITANCE, ETC. BETWEEN RESIDENTS IN SOUTH AND NORTH KOREA

Article 1(Purpose) #

The purpose of this Act is to promote the stabilization of family relationships between residents in South and North Korea and their legal status with regard to inheritance, bequest, etc. and to contribute to efficient management of property in Korea, the ownership of which residents in North Korea acquire by inheritance, bequest, etc., by providing for family relationships, inheritance, and bequest between residents in South and North Korea and matters related thereto.

Article 2(Basic Principles for Application of Act) #

In interpreting and applying this Act, the fact that the relationship between South and North Korea is not a relationship between states, but an extraordinary relationship formed tentatively in the course of pursuing peaceful unification shall be taken into consideration.

Article 3(Definitions) #

The terms used in this Act shall be defined as follows:

1. The term "South Korea" means the area south of the Military Demarcation Line, while the term "North Korea" means the area north of the Military Demarcation Line;

2. The term "South Korean" means a resident of South Korea, while the term "North Korean" means a resident of North Korea;

3. The term "termination of division" means a situation in which a single sovereign system is formed legally or actually in South and North Korea;

4. The term "free communication" means a situation in which free communication by letters and telecommunications between South and North Korea is fully permitted and no special restriction is imposed on mutual visits, compared with visits to and from foreign countries;

5. The term "separation of families between South and North" means that family members are dispersed over South and North Korea, irrespective of the causes and circumstances thereof.

(Judicial Jurisdiction)