MITIGATION AND REMISSION OF CONTRACTOR'S DEFECTS LIABILITY IN KOREAN CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS

The purpose of this study is to improve regulations such as law and standard contract forms related to defects liability in Korea. Defects liability has been one of the major causes of construction contract disputes in Korea in recent years. It is important to avoid or resolve disputes regarding defects liability through regulations containing clear criteria and to specify the standard regarding the mitigation and remission of the contractor's defects liability. This study was carried out through document research and analysis of judicial precedents. The following are the courses of improvement regarding the mitigation and remission of defects liability in Korea. First, laws and standard contract forms must contain more detailed clauses regarding exemption of a contractor's defects liability, which clearly set out the scope of the defects liability of the contractor. Second, the current system for defects liability favors the owner rather than the contractor - it is necessary to change the defects liability system in order to give the owner and the contractor an equal standing. Third, strict liability is taken on by the contractor even when the term of guarantee for defects lasts longer than the legally set period of liability for defects. Hence, it is necessary to improve the system by alleviating the liability of the contractor through applying negligence liability as opposed to strict liability during the term of guarantee.