Overview
A tort is a civil wrong causing harm to another outside a contract. Korea’s Civil Act Article 750 states that a person who causes damage through an unlawful act, intentionally or negligently, must compensate. Examples include traffic accidents, defamation and medical malpractice.
📌 At a glance
- Korea
- Civil Act Art. 750
- Principle
- Fault liability
- Remedy
- Damages (incl. emotional)
- Compare
- Breach of contract
Elements (Korea)
- Intent or negligence
- Unlawfulness
- Damage (including solatium, Art. 751)
- Causation
- Capacity
Fault vs strict liability
Fault liability means no liability without fault. Industrialization brought strict liability or shifted burdens of proof, e.g. motor-vehicle, product-liability and environmental statutes.
No contract is needed for liability. Breach of contract violates a promise; tort violates a duty owed to everyone.
Limitation
Three years from knowledge of damage and tortfeasor, or ten years from the act (Art. 766).
Comparison
| Country | Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | Civil Code Art. 709 | 3 yrs (5 for life/body) / 20 yrs |
| US | Common law | Intentional torts, negligence, strict liability; punitive damages |
| China | Civil Code Art. 1165 | Fault rule; no-fault where law provides (Art. 1166) |
Frequently asked questions
- Is a tort a crime?
- No; one act can be both, but tort is civil compensation.
- Is an employer liable?
- Yes, via vicarious liability (Art. 756).
- How is solatium set?
- At the court’s discretion.
References
- 대한민국 「민법」 제750조, 제751조, 제763조, 제766조.
- 日本「民法」第709条、第710条、第722条、第724条、第724条の2.
- 《中华人民共和国民法典》第1165条、第1166条、第1179条、第188条.
- American Law Institute. (1965). Restatement (Second) of Torts. St. Paul, MN: ALI.