Understanding Employee Leave Policies in South Korea

Navigating South Korea's employee leave regulations is essential for multinational companies operating in the country. The system includes various types of leave mandated by law, each with specific eligibility criteria and compensation rules.

Annual Leave Entitlements

Employees in companies with five or more regular workers who average at least 15 hours per week over four weeks are entitled to paid annual leave. For those with less than one year of service, one day of leave accrues for each full month worked, up to a maximum of 11 days. After one year of service with at least 80% attendance, employees receive 15 days of annual leave.

For employees with three or more consecutive years of service, additional paid leave accrues at a rate of one extra day for every two years beyond the initial year, with a maximum cap of 25 days total. Companies may align leave calculations with the fiscal year through collective agreements, provided this doesn't disadvantage employees.

Sick Leave Provisions

Unlike statutory leaves, sick leave for personal illness isn't mandated by Korean labor law but is governed by company policies. Without specific provisions for paid sick leave in employment rules, such leave is typically unpaid. The Supreme Court has ruled that sick leave periods constitute a suspension of employment relationships, eliminating wage payment obligations unless company policies state otherwise.

Companies should establish clear sick leave guidelines covering:

Eligible medical conditions
Maximum allowable days
Extension procedures
Required documentation

Proper approval processes prevent unauthorized absences from being classified as unpaid leave. Employers cannot unilaterally substitute sick days with annual leave without employee agreement.

Maternity and Paternity Benefits

Female employees receive 90 days of maternity leave (120 days for multiple births), with at least 45 days allocated postpartum. The first 60 days are paid, with government support covering up to 2.1 million KRW for eligible businesses. Employers must reinstate employees to equivalent positions after leave and face significant penalties for non-compliance.

Male employees receive 10 days of paternity leave, with similar documentation requirements for benefit claims. Both parents can take childcare leave for up to one year per child under age eight, receiving 80% of their regular salary (capped at 1.5 million KRW monthly).

Special Leave Categories

Female employees in workplaces with five or more workers are entitled to one unpaid menstrual leave day monthly, regardless of age or position. South Korea also observes 16 public holidays in 2025, including traditional celebrations like Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Harvest Festival).

Companies like SailGlobal assist international businesses in implementing compliant leave management systems that balance employee welfare with operational needs.

Leave Type	Duration	Compensation
Annual Leave	11-25 days	Full pay
Maternity Leave	90-120 days	Partial government support
Childcare Leave	Up to 1 year	80% of salary

South Korea Employee Leave Guide: Annual, Sick, Maternity Leave Policies