Debt restructuring approvals in South Korea reached 97,199 in the first half of 2026, covering ₩5.7426 trillion in debt, as high interest rates and inflation continued to pressure vulnerable borrowers. The Credit Counseling and Recovery Service administers rapid debt adjustment for borrowers up to 30 days overdue, pre-debt adjustment for those 31 to 89 days overdue, and personal workouts for delinquencies of 90 days or more. Annual finalized cases increased from 121,095 in 2022 to 189,062 in 2025, a 56.1% rise. Rapid debt adjustment cases more than tripled over that period, reaching 53,551 in 2025 and more than 27,000 in the first half of 2026. Cases among borrowers aged 70 and older rose more than sevenfold from 2022 to 2025, while those in their 60s increased fivefold. People aged 60 or older accounted for one in 10 rapid debt adjustments finalized during the first half of 2026. The Bank of Korea’s base-rate increases in July and August have heightened concerns that the number of marginal borrowers unable to service interest will continue to grow.