Media Release: Supreme Courts of Singapore and Korea Sign New Arrangements to Support Cross-Border Civil and Commercial Disputes

1.     The Supreme Court of Singapore and the Supreme Court of Korea today signed two new instruments aimed at supporting the effective resolution of cross-border civil and commercial disputes. The instruments provide greater clarity on the recognition and enforcement of money judgments between Singapore and Korea, and establish a mechanism for the courts to obtain reliable information on each other's laws and judicial practices.

2.     The Memorandum of Guidance as to the Enforcement of Money Judgments (MOG) and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation Regarding Information on Foreign Law (MOU) were signed by The Honourable the Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon and Chief Justice Jo Hee-de of the Supreme Court of Korea. The signing took place in Seoul on the sidelines of the 20th Conference of Chief Justices of Asia and the Pacific (CCJAP), following a courtesy call between the two Chief Justices.

Greater Clarity on the Enforcement of Money Judgments

3.     The MOG sets out the Singapore and Korean courts’ understanding of the procedures and requirements for the recognition and enforcement of money judgments of one jurisdiction in the other. It covers judgments requiring payment of a sum of money and does not cover non-monetary relief or criminal orders, fines or penalties.

4.     The MOG will serve as a practical reference for litigants and practitioners in cross-border cases by setting out the applicable legal requirements and procedures in both jurisdictions. This will provide greater clarity and understanding for parties seeking to a Singapore money judgment recognised and enforced in Korea, or a Korean money judgment recognised and enforced in Singapore. The MOG does not create new rights of reciprocal enforcement or alter the domestic laws of either jurisdiction.

5.     Highlighting the practical importance of the MOG for parties involved in cross-border disputes, Chief Justice Menon said: “A judgment may offer little real relief if it cannot be enforced where the judgment debtor or its assets are located. By explaining how our respective courts approach the recognition and enforcement of money judgments, the Memorandum will promote greater clarity, certainty and confidence for litigants.”

More Efficient Access to Information on Foreign Law

6.     The MOU establishes a mechanism for the Singapore and Korean courts to exchange information on their respective domestic laws and judicial practices in civil and commercial matters. It applies where a court is required to consider the law of the other jurisdiction in an ongoing international civil or commercial case.

7.     Through the MOU, courts in Singapore and Korea will have a clearer and more efficient channel for obtaining reliable information on each other’s laws and judicial practices in cross-border civil and commercial cases. Information exchanged may include relevant legislation, judicial precedents, decisions, interpretations and court orders. This will support the courts in determining questions of foreign law more accurately and efficiently.

Building on Longstanding Judicial Cooperation

8.     The two new instruments build on a longstanding cooperation between the Singapore and Korean Judiciaries and complement earlier agreements and initiatives. Previous arrangements include MOUs on transnational insolvency proceedings, judicial cooperation and continuing judicial education. The new instruments complement these arrangements by focusing specifically on practical aspects of international civil and commercial litigation. Reflecting on the broader significance of the new arrangements, Chief Justice Menon said: “Together, these instruments deepen the trust and cooperation between our judiciaries. I look forward to the continued growth of this partnership, and to the practical benefits it will bring to those whom our courts serve.”

Singapore's Participation at the 20th CCJAP

9.     The 20th CCJAP, held from 16 to 19 September 2026, is a biennial forum that brought together Chief Justices and senior judicial representatives from across the Asia-Pacific region to exchange insights on their judicial systems, discuss current developments affecting the courts, and strengthen mutual understanding and judicial cooperation.

10.     This year’s Conference features discussions on contemporary issues including the use of artificial intelligence in the Judiciary and legal profession, judicial education, and the role of courts in supporting arbitration. Chief Justice Menon will speak on the importance of judicial education in a changing environment and will moderate the session on the extent to which courts should support arbitration, including international arbitration.

ISSUED BY:

SINGAPORE COURTS

16 September 2026