Work Culture in Korea

Local labor law provides for a standard working schedule of 40 hours per week, based on 8 hours of work per day.* However, the actual number of hours worked may vary significantly from one company to another.

*Source:  http://www.moel.go.kr/index.do Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL).

Employees in Korea generally receive 15 days of paid annual leave per year. Some foreign companies may offer more generous leave policies. Depending on seniority, the total amount of annual leave does not exceed 25 days, with any remaining entitlement then compensated in the form of a bonus.*

*Source: http://www.moel.go.kr/index.do Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL).

Titles within Korean companies are generally structured as follows, although they may vary depending on the size of the organization:

Staff (사원 / Sawon) < Assistant Manager / Junior Manager (대리 / Daeri) < Manager (과장 / Gwajang) < Senior Manager (차장 / Chajang) < Team Leader (팀장 / Timjang) < Executive Officer (부장 / Bujang) < Director (상무 / Sangmoo) < President / Chairman (사장 / Sajang)

Hierarchy based on both position and seniority is a fundamental and defining aspect of Korean society, both in the workplace and beyond. For example, it is extremely uncommon for a position of responsibility to be given to someone who is younger than the employees they would be expected to manage.

The minimum wage in Korea was KRW 9,860 per hour, equivalent to approximately EUR 6.61, in 2024.* The monthly minimum wage was set at KRW 2,060,740, equivalent to approximately EUR 1,382, in 2024.**

* Source: Minimum Wage Council, Republic of Korea
** Source: Ministry of Employment and Labor