Hiring in South Korea: 2026 Guide for Foreign Companies
Hiring in South Korea in 2026: budget about 120% of gross salary, then choose a contractor, an EOR or your own entity. Costs, laws and routes explained.
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How to hire in South Korea
Twelve practical guides for companies outside Korea — from labor law and social insurance to salaries, EOR and setting up an entity. Updated October 2026 with the decided 2027 changes.
Key numbers at a glance
The figures employers ask about most, as of October 2026.
| Item | 2026 | 2027 (decided) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | KRW 10,320 per hour (KRW 2,156,880 per month) | KRW 10,700 per hour (KRW 2,236,300 per month) |
| National Pension | 9.5% of pay — 4.75% employer, 4.75% employee | 10% |
| Health insurance | 7.19% split 50/50, plus long-term care at 13.14% of the premium | 7.19% (frozen) |
| Employment insurance | Employee 0.9%; employer 1.15–1.75% by company size | — |
| Industrial accident insurance | Employer only; 1.47% on average, varies by industry | — |
| Personal income tax | 6%–45% progressive, plus 10% local income tax | — |
| Corporate income tax | 10%–25%, plus 10% local income tax | — |
| Working hours | 40 regular + 12 overtime = 52 per week maximum | — |
| Severance pay | At least 30 days' average wage per year of service | — |
| Annual leave | 15 days after the first year, rising to a maximum of 25 | — |
Sources: Minimum Wage Commission, Ministry of Employment and Labor, National Pension Service, National Health Insurance Service, National Tax Service. Details and citations are in each guide.
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Employment rules
Korean Labor Law 2026: A Guide for Foreign Employers
Korean labor law in 2026 for foreign employers: who is covered, the 52-hour week, KRW 10,320 minimum wage, leave, severance, dismissal and 2027 changes.
Employment Types in Korea: Regular, Contract, Freelance, EOR
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Korea Payroll Tax and Social Insurance 2026: Employer Guide
Korea payroll tax and social insurance in 2026: employers pay about 10.5–11.5% on top of salary. Rates, tax brackets, 19% flat rate and a KRW 60M example.
Hiring & pay
How to Hire in Korea: Step-by-Step Hiring Process (2026)
How to hire in Korea in 2026: choose a route, source, screen, interview across time zones, offer a gross annual salary, then onboard. Plan 2–3 months.
Compensation in Korea 2026: Salaries, Bonuses and Employer Cost
Korean pay is a gross annual package paid monthly. 2026 salary benchmarks by role, bonus and fixed-overtime rules, severance and total employer cost.
Hiring Remote Workers in Korea: 2026 Guide for Employers
How to hire remote workers in Korea in 2026: contractor vs EOR, misclassification and PE risk, telework rules, KST overlap, PIPA and the F-1-D visa.
Operating in Korea
Setting Up an Entity in Korea: Subsidiary, Branch or EOR (2026)
To hire in Korea, use an EOR or set up an entity: a subsidiary, branch or liaison office. Compare the KRW 100M FDI rule, setup steps, timelines and 2026 taxes.
HR Compliance in Korea: 2026 Checklist for Foreign Employers
HR compliance in Korea for 2026: written contracts, itemized payslips, social insurance deadlines, harassment rules, PIPA, labor inspections and new penalties.
Cultural Integration: Korean Professionals in Global Teams
Cultural integration of Korean professionals in global teams: be explicit, confirm in writing, give feedback privately and plan around Seollal and Chuseok.
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