Couples counselling

"It'll get better if I put up with it" works far worse than "let's talk about it".

Common sources of conflict

• Communication — misunderstandings build up across a language barrier.
• Family relationships — distance from in-laws, holiday customs.
• Money — managing household finances, remittances home.
• Role expectations — differing assumptions about housework and childcare.
• Anxiety about residence status — when one partner feels their position is insecure.

How to use it

1. Contact a family centre or 1577-1366.
2. You can start with individual counselling. Your spouse need not come.
3. Move on to couples counselling if appropriate.
4. Request interpretation in advance.
5. You can also attend a family centre's couples education programme together.

What you need

• No particular documents
• A request for your counselling language in advance
• Alien registration card, when applying for programmes

Where to go

• 1577-1366 Danuri Call Centre (multilingual, 24 hours)
• Your nearest family centre
• 129 Health and Welfare Call Centre
• 1366 Women's Emergency Hotline
• 112 in violent situations

Questions people ask

My spouse refuses counselling. Start alone. When one person changes, the relationship can change too.

I'm considering divorce. Counselling can also cover the legal process and residence questions. See divorce-procedure. For legal advice, call 132.

I was told "if you divorce you'll be thrown out". There may be routes to remain even after a marriage ends — particularly where there are children or the fault lies with your spouse. Check with 1345 and 1577-1366. See custody-issues.

What does counselling cost? Basic counselling at family centres and the Danuri Call Centre is free.

Take care

Violence, threats, having your passport taken, or being cut off from money are matters to report, not to counsel about. Contact 112 and 1366 at once. If a spouse threatens you over your residence status, verify the facts with 1345 — frightening people with false information is common.

Related

mediation-family · divorce-procedure · dv-shelter · marriage-immigrant-programs · custody-issues

Source

Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, family centres www.familynet.or.kr / As of 2026-08