Non-custodial parents who do not pay child support will have their driver's licenses suspended

Amendment to the Act on Securing and Supporting Child Support Passed in the Plenary Session
Request for Driver's License Political Background Check Now Possible to Local Police Chiefs
Exclusion When Driving a Vehicle for Livelihood Purposes

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] Non-custodial parents who do not raise their children may have their driver's licenses suspended if they fail to pay child support even after a detention order is issued.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced that the "Act on Securing and Supporting Child Support Enforcement," which includes this provision, passed the National Assembly plenary session on the 20th.

With this legal amendment, if a non-custodial parent who operates a private vehicle fails to pay child support, the Minister of Gender Equality and Family can request the suspension of the parent's driver's license from the head of the local police agency.

To request a driver's license suspension, the parent must have received a detention order decision under the Family Litigation Act, failed to fulfill the child support obligation, and gone through the Child Support Enforcement Deliberation Committee's decision. Those who use a vehicle for livelihood purposes are excluded.

Additionally, if the government provides temporary emergency child support, it can request credit or insurance information from related agencies without the consent of the child support debtor. If the debtor fails to repay the emergency support amount, collection will proceed according to the procedures for national tax delinquency.

Minister Lee Jung-ok stated, "There is a public consensus that failing to fulfill child support obligations seriously threatens the child's right to survival and healthy growth," adding, "We will continue to promote institutional improvements to ensure smooth enforcement of child support."

The amended law will take effect one year after its promulgation.