Leave management software automates the tracking, requesting, and approving of employee time off — replacing spreadsheets and email chains with a centralised system that keeps balances accurate and managers informed. For South Korean businesses, the right tool must handle the Labour Standards Act, annual leave (15 days after 1 year, increasing to 25 days), sick leave, maternity leave, and public holidays. In 2026, South Korean teams have options ranging from local HR platforms to global tools adapted for the Korean market.
South Korea’s Labour Standards Act mandates 15 days of paid annual leave after 1 year of continuous service (with 80%+ attendance). This increases by 1 day per year of service up to 25 days. Employees are entitled to 60 days of maternity leave (paid) and 10 days of parental leave. South Korea observes 15 public holidays per year. A good leave management tool handles these tiered entitlements.
:::note[Key Takeaways]
- Flat-rate tools like Leave Balance (USD $10/month, unlimited employees) are affordable for Korean SMBs
- Slack and Microsoft Teams integration works for international companies in South Korea
- Korean compliance requires tiered annual leave and public holiday management
- Local tools like KakaoWork and NHN are popular but lack global integration :::
The Best Leave Management Software in South Korea (2026)
1. Leave Balance — Best for International Companies in South Korea
Leave Balance is a dedicated leave management tool with flat-rate pricing and native Slack and Microsoft Teams integration. It is ideal for international companies with teams in South Korea.
Pricing: USD $10/month flat rate (~KRW 13,500/month). Unlimited employees, unlimited leave policies. No per-seat fees, no minimums.
Key features:
- Native Slack and Teams integration
- Unlimited custom leave policies — configure tiered annual leave based on years of service
- South Korean public holiday calendar (15 holidays)
- Team calendar with real-time absence visibility
- Analytics and reporting
- Multi-country support
- CSV bulk onboarding
- 14-day free trial, no credit card required
Our take: For international companies with teams in South Korea that use Slack or Teams, Leave Balance provides an affordable global solution at KRW 13,500/month.
2. KakaoWork — Best for Korean-Only Companies
KakaoWork is South Korea’s leading workplace platform from Kakao, with integrated HR features.
Pricing: Free for basic features. Enterprise plans available.
Korean compliance features:
- Annual leave tiered by years of service
- 15 public holidays
- Integration with Korean payroll
- Kakao ecosystem integration
Pros: Dominant in Korea; deeply integrated with Korean ecosystem; free basic plan.
Cons: Limited outside Korea; no Slack or Teams integration; Korean-language focused.
3. NHN KCP — Best for Mid-Market Korean Companies
NHN offers HR features as part of its business platform, popular with mid-market Korean companies.
Pricing: Custom quotes. Estimated KRW 30,000–60,000/employee/month.
Korean compliance features:
- Labour Standards Act compliance
- Annual leave and public holiday tracking
- Integration with Korean payroll systems
Pros: Korean-focused; strong local compliance; good for mid-market.
Cons: Expensive for leave-only needs; no Slack or Teams integration; limited outside Korea.
Pricing Comparison
| Tool | 30 Employees (KRW) | 50 Employees (KRW) | Pricing Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leave Balance | ~KRW 13,500/mo | ~KRW 13,500/mo | Flat rate |
| Timetastic | ~KRW 101,250/mo | ~KRW 168,750/mo | Per user |
| NHN KCP | Custom | Custom | Per employee |
Leave Balance is the most affordable option for international companies at every team size.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best leave management software for a 30-person South Korean company?
For international companies using Slack or Teams, Leave Balance at USD $10/month (~KRW 13,500) is the best value. For Korean-only companies, KakaoWork offers free basic features with Korean ecosystem integration.
How does Leave Balance handle South Korea’s tiered annual leave?
Leave Balance supports tiered leave policies: 15 days after 1 year, increasing by 1 day per year up to 25 days. You can configure these tiers to match the Labour Standards Act.
Does Leave Balance support South Korean public holidays?
Yes. Leave Balance includes all 15 South Korean public holidays in its calendar, including Seollal, Chuseok,Hangul Day, and others.
This article is general information, not legal advice.