Yes, cousin marriage is legal in South Korea under strict conditions. The Civil Act permits unions between cousins if they are not lineal descendants or siblings, but local family registries may impose additional scrutiny. Recent 2026 amendments to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family’s guidelines tighten genetic counseling requirements for such marriages.
Key Regulations for Cousin Marriage in South Korea
- Civil Act Provisions: Article 809 prohibits marriages between lineal ascendants/descendants and full/half-siblings but allows cousin marriages unless prohibited by local ordinances.
- Local Family Registry Restrictions: Seoul and Busan municipal registries require genetic testing reports for cousin applicants to assess hereditary risk, per 2024 local ordinances.
- 2026 Compliance Shifts: The Ministry of Health and Welfare’s updated 2026 guidelines mandate pre-marital genetic counseling for cousin couples, aligning with WHO’s hereditary disease prevention framework.