Korean Dictionary
How to say "Defendant" in Korean
“Defendant” in Korean is 피고 (pronounced "Pigo").
피고
Pigo
Usage & Context
A person accused of a crime in a court of law. The defendant has the right to legal representation and a fair trial in South Korea.
Example Sentence
피고는 무죄를 주장했습니다.
The defendant claimed innocence.
How to use 피고 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Defendant” is 피고, romanized as Pigo.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 피고.
Pronunciation Guide
The first syllable, 피 (pi), sounds like 'pee' in 'peek'. The second syllable, 고 (go), sounds like 'go' in 'go'. The stress is relatively even across both syllables.
More Example Sentences
Reporting on a legal proceeding where new evidence is introduced.
피고 측 변호사는 새로운 증거를 제출했습니다.
The defendant's lawyer submitted new evidence.
A scene in a courtroom during a trial.
재판장은 피고에게 질문했습니다.
The judge questioned the defendant.
A news report about a defendant's plea in a criminal case.
피고는 자신의 혐의를 부인했습니다.
The defendant denied the charges against them.
Cultural Context
피고 (pigo) is a strictly formal legal term used in court to refer to the accused in a criminal case or the respondent in a civil case. It's commonly heard in Korean legal dramas (법정 드라마) or news reports about trials. In everyday conversation, if someone is accused but not yet formally charged, terms like '용의자' (yonguija, suspect) or '가해자' (gahaeja, perpetrator) might be used instead.
Editorial note
We review entries like 피고 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
피고인 신문
defendant's interrogation/examination
피고 측
the defendant's side
피고석
defendant's seat (in court)
Related Expressions
원고
wonggo
plaintiff
변호인
byeonhoin
defense lawyer
검사
geomsa
prosecutor
용의자
yonguija
suspect
More Law & Government Words
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