Employment in South Korea
South Korea has approximately 40-50 legislative tools that make up labour/employment law in the country, such as:
- The Labour Standards Act (LSA)
- The Framework Act on Employment Policy
- The Employment Security Act (ESA)
- Act on Equal Employment
- Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act
- Labour Adjustment Act (LAA)
Minimum Hourly & Monthly Wages in 2026
- The statutory minimum wages is 10,320 KRW per hour.
- The statutory minimum wages is 2,156,880 KRW per month.
Working Hours
At present, South Korean employees can work a maximum of 40 hours a week with 12 hours of overtime – a total of 52 hours.
(It applies to workplaces with more than five employees.)
Probation Period
- There is no specific legislation on probation periods in South Korea.
- The probation period can be extended, but it can be legally extended only with the prior consent of the employee.
*Market practice: 3 months
Employment Contracts
If the Labour Standards Act is properly specified, there is no problem with writing the Employment Contract in English.
Overtime Pay (All employees)
| Day | Working Time | Working Time |
| Weekday | 18:00 – 22:00 | Hourly Wage x 150% |
| Weekday | 22:00 – 06:00 | Hourly Wage x 200% |
| Holiday | 09:00 – 18:00 | Hourly Wage x 150% |
| Holiday | 18:00 – 22:00 | Hourly Wage x 200% |
| Holiday | 22:00 – 06:00 | Hourly Wage x 250% |
<Weekday Overtime Pay – Sample cases> Sample Hourly Wage: 20,000KRW
18:00 – 19:00 = 20,000 x 1hour x 150% = 30,000KRW
* If Employee work between 22:00 and 06:00 regardless of whether employee work overtime or night shift work, an additional 50% of their normal wage must be added.
* Employees who contract with the company to work on weekends do not receive holiday overtime pay because the weekend is a normal day of work.
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Understanding and applying South Korean employment laws is essential for businesses to ensure compliance, avoid legal pitfalls, and foster a fair workplace. Best practices for HR leaders and managers include staying informed about legal updates, engaging with legal specialists, and promoting a culture of respect and equity.
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Please note that all the information listed below are to be used as a general guideline. For more detailed accounts of South Korea employment laws and regulations, please visit the official governmental websites.
Updated on: March 2026
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