Hire in Korea,
compliantly,
without the complexity.

South Korea is the global leader in memory semiconductor fabrication, EV battery chemistry, advanced display technology, and gaming software.

Key Economic Clusters

• Semiconductors & Electronics: World's top memory chip manufacturers (Samsung, SK Hynix) and mega-scale chip clusters.
• Pangyo Techno Valley: Korea's Silicon Valley hosting gaming giants (NCSoft, Krafton), AI labs, and fintech unicorns (Toss, Kakao).
• EV Batteries & Green Mobility: World-leading lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing (LG, Samsung SDI, SK On).

Regulated by the Labor Standards Act (LSA).

• Mandatory Written Terms: Contracts must be in writing (Korean or bilingual) detailing wage components, working hours, and holiday entitlements.
• Rules of Employment (*Chwi-eop Gyuchik*): Workplaces with >= 10 employees must establish and file official Rules of Employment with the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL).
• Probation Period: Typically 3 months.

Strict 52-Hour Workweek Cap

• Standard Hours: 40 hours per week (8 hours/day over 5 days).
• 52-Hour Maximum Cap: Overtime is strictly capped at **12 hours per week**, meaning the total workweek cannot exceed 52 hours under criminal penalty.
• Overtime Surcharges: Minimum 150% (50% premium) for overtime; 150% for night work (22:00–06:00); 150%–200% for holiday work. Overlapping surcharges apply cumulatively (e.g. night overtime = 200%).

Annual Paid Vacation (*Yeoncha Yugeup Hyuga*)

Under Article 60 of the LSA, employees with >= 80% attendance receive 15 working days of paid annual vacation in their 2nd year (1 day/month in 1st year), increasing by **1 additional day every 2 years** of continuous service (capped at 25 working days maximum).

Maternity & Childcare Leave

• Maternity Leave: 90 calendar days (at least 45 days postnatal) paid at 100% (funded by Employment Insurance and employer). Absolute dismissal protection applies during maternity leave and 30 days thereafter.
• Parental / Childcare Leave (*Yuk-a Hyujik*): Up to 1 year per parent for children under age 8, with state childcare benefits.

Mandatory Statutory Severance Pay (*Toe-jik-geum*)

Under the Employee Retirement Benefit Security Act, any employee who completes 1 or more years of continuous service is entitled to a mandatory severance payout equal to at least 30 days of average wage per completed year of service upon separation (paid directly or deposited into a Corporate Defined Contribution/Benefit pension plan).

Four Major Social Insurances (*4 Daebohum*) Breakdown

Strict Just Cause Requirement (Article 23 LSA)

In workplaces with >= 5 employees, an employer cannot dismiss an employee without **justifiable cause (*Jungdanghan Iyu*)**. Unfair dismissal claims filed before the Regional Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) carry mandatory back-pay and reinstatement remedies.

• Statutory Notice: Minimum 30 days' advance written notice (or 30 days' ordinary wage in lieu of notice).

• Immediate Access to World-Class Korean Tech Talent: Onboard software developers and hardware engineers in Seoul or Pangyo in days.
• 4 Daebohum & 52-Hour Cap Compliance: Automated management of Four Major Insurances, Toe-jik-geum severance accruals, and workweek compliance.
• E-7 (Specially Designated Activities) Visa Sponsorship: EOR sponsors work and residence visas for foreign technical personnel through the Korea Immigration Service.