면책제도에 관한 소고- 면책채무지급약정을 중심으로 -

The discharge of the bankrupt's liabilities in the bankruptcy procedure is very important, considering that the purpose and function of bankruptcy law is to assist the bankrupt with a fresh start via the release from of the excess liabilities. In Korean courts' precedents, the liabilities do not perish after the discharge in bankruptcy procedure, but is still maintained between the bankrupt and the creditor, with the restriction of right to litigation. Assuming that the liabilities still hold, the bankrupt may enter into a reaffirmation agreement for the liabilities which have been or would be discharged in the bankruptcy procedure with the specific creditor, in spite of discharge. However, the reaffirmation agreement has been interpreted to be null and void by the Korean courts. Such interpretation comes from the position that the main role of the bankruptcy is to lessen the burden of the liabilities owed by the bankrupt. However, the bankrupt may feel it necessary to enter into such reaffirmation agreement with the specific creditors, since the contractual relationship with, or the assistance from, the creditor is important for his ‘smooth financial rehabilitation’ after the completion of bankruptcy. In this regard, it would be recommendable to study the adoptability of the reaffirmation agreement into the Korean bankruptcy regulation system under the reasonable control with a the comparative study of the reaffirmation agreement.