Recently, many questions have been raised in the field of Korean civil law about the adequacy of performer's subrogation, in respect to the proper allocation of obligation, when the main debts are extinguished through the payment by the guarantor, Mul...
Recently, many questions have been raised in the field of Korean civil law about the adequacy of performer's subrogation, in respect to the proper allocation of obligation, when the main debts are extinguished through the payment by the guarantor, Mulsangbojeung-in(person who pledged one's property to secure another's obligation), or a third party purchaser who acquires the security.
The matter has been brought into consideration because various cases of performer's subrogation of real transactions in Korea are solved through Article 482 of civil law. Further, there has been growing criticism of Article 483 in the civil law, as the matter of profit reconciliation between the partial-performer and the creditor emerges; this study aims to check the validity of such criticism and reach an adequate solution.
For a reasonable interpretation of the mutual performer' distribution of the obligation, referred to in Article 482 of the civil law, systematic understanding for performer's subrogation must be precedent. Thus Chapter 2 reviews the regulatory framework of performer's subrogation and the main debts.
Concerning the legal characteristics of performer's subrogation, there are conflicting views between the theory of credit transfer and the theory of substitution repayment. Considering that the purpose of subrogation is to surely secure the recovery of performer, the theory of credit transfer is viewed as appropriate. Clause 1 of Article 483 in the civil law is construed as if partial performers and the creditors are in equivalent positions. But such interpretation can distort material transactions and could be unfair to all parties, namely the creditor, debtor and partial performers. Therefore, Article 483 of the civil law should be understood only in a manner that allows partial performer, in any time, to use it's right as the creditor only together with its creditor, as dual action. Further, first priorities such as mortgage rights are given to the creditor.
Chapter 3 provides an interpretation of the distribution of obligation among mutual performers. Although Common views do not differentiate third party purchasers who acquire the security from the debtor, regulated in the item 1,2,3 of Clause 2, Article 482 in the civil law from those who acquire security from the Mulsangbojeung-in, this study assumes the differentiation between the two kinds of third party purchasers for an adequate profit allocation. The purpose of the amendment in the registration was thought to protect only the third party purchaser who acquires the security when there is misapprehension of termination of mortgage by the guarantor's payment. Further in agreement with the common view, the validity period of the registration amendment should be after the guarantor's payment and before the third party purchaser acquires the security. Then again, Item 5 of the Clause 2, Article 482 does not exhibit any basis for rational interpretation in case when the guarantor is also the Mulsangbojeung-in. Fair distribution of obligation is derived and viewed as the more debt occupied from the debtor, the more obligation they must assume. When deciding the allocation of obligation, we must take into consideration the value of the security. Therefore, it is more accurate if a double-qualified person takes on the duty, not only of the guarantor, but also the Mulsangbojeung-in, perceived as a "Two Persons Theory."
Chapter 4 explains that in the case of collision between subrogation of Mulsangbojeung-in and that of junior hypothecary obligee at joint hypothec, between a Mulsangbojeung-in and a junior hypothecary obligee who is on real estate of debtor or of another Mulsangbojeung-in, the subrogation of Mulsangbojeung-in is superior. And between a Mulsangbojeung-in and a junior hypothecary obligee who is on real estate of the former, the latter can be payed prior to the former by means of joint hypothec of which rank is prior, that former will acquire by subrogation. And in the case of joint hypothec that is consisted of real estate of same Mulsangbojeung-in, between a Mulsangbojeung-in and junior hypothecary obligee, the latter is prior to the former by means of subrogation of joint hypothec of which rank is prior on another joint hypothecated real estate by way of subrogation of junior hypothecary obligee.
Chapter 5 put forwards an interpretation of duty of the creditor to preserve collateral under Article 485 of the civil law. Since such exemption agreement between financial institutions and the guarantor is not in breach of good faith and public policy, it is deemed valid and is supported by court rulings. However, even if the validity of the exemption clause is accepted in general, the claim for its validation is not to be acknowledged without restrictions. In such cases, it is natural that certain restriction should be imposed. That is to say, if the creditor's claim for validity of the special clause is in breach of good faith or is abuse of power, its validity should be restricted and the subrogee should be exempted from its liabilities. Furthermore, standards that suit the demand of facilitating credit transaction while protecting the weak should be established, based on reasonable interpretation.
In conclusion, it is necessary to approach all matters concerning the performer's subrogation with a rational interpretation of the standards, and an amendment should be made to the unreasonable aspects of the Clauses, as discussed within this thesis.