In South Korea, employees are entitled to 15 days of paid annual leave per year under the Labor Standards Act. Employees who work for less than one year or have an attendance rate below 80% receive one day of leave per month worked. After one year of continuous service, employees who have attended at least 80% of working days receive the full 15 days. Additional leave is granted for long service (one extra day per two years of service after three years).

Statutory entitlement

15 days of paid annual leave per year for employees with at least 80% attendance. One day per month worked for employees with less than one year of service. Additional leave: one day per two years of service after three years.

Eligibility

Employees who have worked for at least one year with 80% or more attendance are entitled to 15 days. Employees with less than one year of service receive one day per month worked.

Employer obligations

  • Grant 15 days of paid annual leave to eligible employees.
  • Pay the employee's average wage during annual leave.
  • Grant one day of leave per month worked for employees with less than one year of service.
  • Pay out unused annual leave on termination of employment.
  • Not discourage employees from taking annual leave.
  • Maintain records of annual leave taken by each employee.

Employee rights

  • Right to 15 days of paid annual leave (or one day per month for new employees).
  • Right to additional leave for long service (one day per two years after three years).
  • Right to choose the timing of annual leave (subject to operational requirements).
  • Right to paid leave payout on termination.

Common pitfalls

  • Not granting monthly leave to employees with less than one year of service — the Act provides one day per month worked.
  • Not paying out unused leave on termination — this is a statutory requirement.
  • Forgetting additional leave for long service — after three years, employees earn one extra day per two years of service.

How annual leave accrues

In the first year of employment, employees earn one day of leave per month worked. After completing one year with 80% or more attendance, the employee receives 15 days of leave (minus any monthly leave already taken). From the second year onwards, the full 15 days are granted.

Additional leave for long service

After three years of continuous service, employees earn one additional day of leave for every two years of service, up to a maximum of 25 days total.

Annual leave pay

Annual leave pay is calculated based on the employee's average wage over the three months preceding the leave. This includes all regular wages, allowances, and bonuses.

Frequently asked questions

What is the 80% attendance rule?

Employees must have attended at least 80% of working days during the leave year to qualify for the full 15 days of annual leave.

Can annual leave be carried forward?

Unused annual leave expires after one year if not taken. However, if the employer prevents the employee from taking leave, the leave does not expire.

Are part-time employees entitled to annual leave?

Yes. Part-time employees are entitled to annual leave on the same basis as full-time employees, pro-rated based on their working hours.

Sources

This page is provided for general guidance and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the cited primary source for current law before making employment decisions.