Goo Hara Act Passed in South Korea After Estranged Mother Tried to Claim Her Assets

The South Korean National Assembly (think of it as the Parliament in Singapore) has just passed the Goo Hara Act.

On 28 August 2024, the bill was passed with 284 members concurring and 2 members forfeiting their vote. It will take effect from January 2026.

So, what is it about?

Named After The Latest K-Pop Star, Goo Hara

Goo Hara was a South Korean singer and actress best known as a former member of the K-pop girl group Kara. She passed away on 24 November 2019 at the age of 28.

Her death was ruled a suicide.

After her death, her estranged mother, who had abandoned her during childhood, sought to claim half of Goo’s estate. This ignited a public outcry and led Goo’s brother, Goo Ho In, to petition for a revision of the inheritance law. Under the previous law, parents were entitled to their late children’s assets even if they did not raise or provide for them.

Goo Ho In’s petition gathered over 100,000 signatures in 17 days and was submitted to the National Assembly for review.

So, what is the act about?

It establishes a “declaration system for loss of inheritance rights” that strips biological parents of their inheritance rights if they do not fulfill their parenting obligations or commit crimes such as abuse.

The law determines the legitimate circumstances and relationship ties of the parties with the deceased before the inheritance is passed on.

The act also considers it a significant criminal offense if there is harsh treatment towards the heir, spouse, or direct descendant of the heir. Inheritance will be determined based on the degree of contribution.

Therefore, simply put, you cannot get any inheritance just because you’re the biological parent of someone.

However, the act will not be applied retroactively to Goo Hara’s case, as the ruling for the division of her inheritance was made in 2021. Her brother, Goo Ho In, intends to use the inheritance to set up a foundation to help single parents and struggling trainees.