Find work in South Korea
Republic of Korea — 51.7 million people, South Korean Won (KRW), Korean. Full employment compliance handled for you, paid every Friday.
Capital
Seoul
Population
51.7 million
GDP / capita
$33,150
Currency
KRW
South Korean Won
Time zone
UTC+9 (KST)
Working in South Korea: what to expect
Key employment law provisions that affect your engagement. Corpshore handles compliance so you don't have to navigate this alone — but knowing your rights matters.
Standard workweek
52h max
40 hours (52 maximum including overtime since 2018 reform)
Annual leave
15 public holidays
15 days (after 1 year; increases by 1 day per 2 years, up to 25 days)
Maternity leave
90 days (120 for multiples), 60 days at full pay from employer + 30 days from employment insurance
Paternity leave
10 days, fully paid
Notice period
30 days (employer). No statutory notice for employee resignation.
Severance
Retirement pay: 30 days average wages per year of service. Mandatory for all employees with 1+ year tenure.
Overtime rules
50% premium (regular overtime), 100% (holidays/night). Maximum 12 overtime hours per week.
Probation period
3 months typical (contractual)
Tax landscape in South Korea
Indicative tax ranges for general orientation. Always consult a qualified tax advisor for your specific situation. Tax year: Calendar year.
- Income tax
- 6% to 45% (plus local income tax at 10% of national tax)
- Corporate tax
- 9-24% progressive
- Social contributions
- National Pension: 4.5% each. Health: 3.5% each. Employment: 0.9% employee + 1.15% employer. Long-term care: additional on health.
- VAT / GST
- 10%
Treaty network
Over 90 tax treaties
Your fee is always zero
Corpshore charges the hiring business, never you. You receive 100% of the agreed rate, regardless of tax jurisdiction.
How you get paid in South Korea
BOK-Wire+ handles large-value transfers. Smaller transfers via KFTC (Korea Financial Telecommunications & Clearings Institute). Toss and KakaoPay are popular mobile payments.
Bank transfer (BOK-Wire+)
Stripe Connect
Wise
Settlement
Every Friday
No net-30 waits, no chasing invoices
Platform fee
Zero, forever
The business pays Corpshore, never you
Currency
KRW
Local currency where supported
Regulatory landscape in South Korea
Corpshore manages compliance so you can focus on the work. Here's what shapes the regulatory environment for workers in South Korea.
Worker classification
Labour Standards Act defines employee. Supreme Court applies multi-factor test focused on subordination and economic dependence. Platform workers increasingly covered by special legislation.
Data protection
Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA, 2011, significantly amended 2020 and 2023). PIPC (Personal Information Protection Commission) enforces. One of Asia's strictest privacy regimes.
Right to work
Work visa (E-series) required. Points-based system for skilled workers (E-7). IT and engineering visas have streamlined processes.
Non-compete enforceability
Enforceable if reasonable. Courts assess trade secret protection, compensation, and duration. Compensation is expected.
Collective bargaining
Protected under Trade Union Act. KCTU and FKTU are the two major confederations. Union density ~14% but concentrated in heavy industry and public sector.
Working culture in South Korea
Business culture
Hierarchical (influenced by Confucian values), fast-paced (ppalli-ppalli culture: quickly-quickly), and relationship-oriented. Drinking culture (hoesik: team dinners) is part of business. Age and seniority matter. K-culture exports have softened global perceptions.
Key industries
Talent pool strengths
Historical context
South Korea's transformation from a war-devastated economy (GDP per capita below Ghana's in 1960) to the world's 10th-largest economy is the 'Miracle on the Han River.' Government-directed industrialisation, massive investment in education (97% university attendance rate), and chaebol-led export growth created a technological powerhouse. Samsung alone accounts for ~20% of Korea's exports.
At a glance
- Official name
- Republic of Korea
- Languages
- Korean
- Time zones
- UTC+9 (KST)
- Data region
- Asia-Pacific
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