Working in South Korea
Work ethics, salaries and holidays
As a foreigner you might need some time to adapt to the Korean attitude of work. This section is intended to help you get orientated and to provide you with some essential information on South Korean working environments.
Job culture
Working in Korea may be a challenge for foreigners who are unwilling to put in the hours and efforts that many Korean nationals are used to. Korea has one of the highest average workweeks and overtime hours in the world. With their rigorous work ethic, you can expect to go beyond your own standards to keep up. However, if you can be committed, the people around you will in return be committed to you.
The idea of developing personal relationship in the workplace may seem foreign to those who are not used to South Korean culture. However, the idea of building trust with other employees is crucial to Koreans in and out of the office. Trust motivates the people; therefore focus on making lasting, personal relationships to show your commitment. Also, keep in mind that while strong personal relationships are encouraged, a ranking of position still exists. Getting too personal may come off as being disrespectful. If you do not give respect where it is due, it is likely that Koreans will be offended.
Working hours
Korean people are known for their intelligence and work ethic. It is no wonder why the country has one of the highest average annual work hours. If you’re planning to find employment in South Korea, you better be prepared to put in a lot of hours and effort. You will be glad you did this because most Korean businesses offer generous bonuses and ample paid vacation time.
Luckily, recent law changes have dropped the maximum workweek down to 40 hours and adopted a 5-day workweek system. Unless you are planning to work for a smaller company (with 5 regular employees or less), the new law applies to you as well. Although some contracts do allow for minor adjustments in hours, the average workweek in any 2-week period is not to exceed the maximum 40 hours. Also, workers may not be required to work more than 12 hours in any given day.
Unluckily, however, little attention seems to be paid to the 40-hour workweek legislation. Most people still work late, with the end of working day often reaching the late evening hours.
Minors under the age of 18 are not allowed to work unless they have written permission from their parents or guardians. In any case, minors are prohibited from working night shifts except with permission from the Labor Ministry.
Salaries
The average salaries for foreigners differ greatly depending on which company you decide to work for. Monthly pay for teaching English without any prior experience can be anywhere from 2.1 to 2.5 million won (approximately $ 1,830 - $ 2,180 USD) in accordance with a 20-30 hour workweek.
For engineers and high-tech specialists, employment at one company can mean an average monthly salary of 5 million won ($ 4,360) whereas another company will offer a salary of over 8 milion won ($8,000) USD. Finding up-to-date numbers for average Korean salaries is a challenge. It may be most efficient for you to discuss pay with a potential employer right off the bat so you know your financial situation. Bear in mind that the cost of living in Korea is lower compared to most other countries.
Holidays
The Ministry of Labor in Korea has implemented a system in which all workers who do not miss a day of work in one week receive one paid holiday. Employees who do not miss a day of work in a full year are entitled to a 15-day paid vacation. Those who do miss days of work should expect a reduction in paid leave time. After the first year of work with a company, every two subsequent years translates into another paid holiday.
Unlike other industries, most English teachers and tutors often enjoy 3 to 4 months of paid vacation time, depending on where you work and what your contract states.
Koreans use both the Solar and Lunar calendar which results in a number of holidays. There are 15 national holidays and most of them are observed by the majority of offices and businesses. These are:
- January 1st and 2nd: New Year's Day
- March 1: Independence Movement Day
- April 5: Arbor Day
- April 8: Buddha's Birthday (Seokka Tanshin-il)
- May 5: Children's Day
- June 6: Memorial Day
- July 17: Constitution Day
- August 14-16: Harvest Moon Festival (Chuesok)
- August 15: Liberation Day
- October 3: Foundation Day
- December 25: Christmas Day
- December 31-January 2nd: New Year's (Seol-nal)
Also in this section
- Jobs: Employment possibilities in South Korea
- Finding a Job: Where to look for Jobs in South Korea
- Working in South Korea: Work ethics, salaries and holidays
- Labor regulations & social security : Unemployment, illness, maternity etc.
- Taxation of your income: Income tax and social contributions in Korea
- Employment contracts: What you need to know
- Applying for a job: Cover letter, CV and job interviews
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Teachers should expect 2.1 to 2.5 million won starting salary. For professional services it would be in the 3 to 10 million won range and for technical professionals salaries should be 5 million won and up.
Despite the 40-hour workweek legislation, I've noticed little change in actual habits. Most people work late. My usual hours are 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. with an hour for lunch. I often work much later, though.
As for paid vacation, full-time workers are entitled to 15 days as long as they will be with the company 80% of the calendar year. Otherwise they are entitled to one day for each month.