Credit information, fair collection and counseling ethics
Differentiate the existence of a debt from the methods used to seek payment. A creditor’s claim does not remove the debtor’s applicable rights, privacy or opportunity to verify the amount. A family relationship alone does not establish a relative’s duty to pay an adult debtor’s obligation. A guarantee or other legal basis requires its own analysis.
Credit records should be accurate and used for a proper purpose under the applicable Korean framework. Identify what information is necessary, who may receive it and what lawful basis applies. Do not disclose a client’s debt to unrelated people to create pressure. Document disputed amounts and guide the client toward the appropriate verification or correction process rather than inventing a clean record.
Counseling should be neutral and free from undisclosed referral incentives. Avoid shame-based pressure and explain choices in terms the client can understand. Legal questions about prescription, attachment, guarantees or court procedures need the actual rule and facts. Do not import a foreign debt-collection statute or assume that an old protected-income amount remains current. A responsible explanation identifies uncertainty and the route to authoritative assistance while still helping the client organize reliable records and practical next steps.