Korean Employment Contract (근로계약서) Explained in English

The sample is filled in with made-up details and example amounts to show the layout. Your own form may look a little different.

Every line, explained

The words on the sample above, in order.

사업주 / 근로자saeopjusaeopjuEmployer / WorkerThe company (사업주, or 사업체명 with the representative’s name) and you. Check that your name is spelled as on your residence card.

1. 근로개시일geunrogaesiilgeunrogaesiilStart dateThe day you start work. On a fixed-term contract this line is 근로계약기간 (contract period) with an end date instead.

2. 근무장소geunmujangsogeunmujangsoPlace of workWhere you will work. On a work visa this should match the workplace on your visa paperwork.

3. 업무의 내용eommuui naeyongeommuui naeyongJob dutiesWhat you are hired to do. For work visas the duties matter: work outside your permitted activity can be a visa violation.

4. 소정근로시간sojeonggeunrosigansojeonggeunrosiganContractual working hoursYour normal daily hours and break. By law the break is at least 30 minutes for 4 hours of work and 1 hour for 8 hours, and it is unpaid. Normal hours are up to 8 a day and 40 a week; overtime needs your agreement (up to 12 hours a week) and is paid extra.

5. 근무일/휴일geunmuilgeunmuilWorking days and weekly holidayHow many days a week you work and your paid weekly day off (주휴일). Anyone working 15+ hours a week gets a paid weekly holiday.

6. 임금 — 월급imgeum — wolgeupimgeum — wolgeupWage (monthly / daily / hourly)Your pay and whether it is monthly, daily or hourly. Divide a monthly wage by 209 (paid hours for a 40-hour week) to get the hourly rate and compare it with the minimum wage — ₩10,320 in 2026, ₩10,700 from 2027.

상여금sangyeogeumsangyeogeumBonusWhether there is a bonus, and how much.

기타급여 (제수당 등)gitageubyeogitageubyeoOther pay (allowances)Allowances such as meals, transport or overtime paid on top of the wage.

임금지급일imgeumjigeubilimgeumjigeubilPaydayThe fixed day of the month you are paid.

지급방법jigeupbangbeopjigeupbangbeopMethod of paymentUsually straight into a bank account in your name.

7. 연차유급휴가yeonchayugeupyugayeonchayugeupyugaPaid annual leavePaid days off under the Labor Standards Act — 15 days after a year with 80%+ attendance, and 1 day per full month in your first year. It does not apply at workplaces with fewer than 5 employees or to people working under 15 hours a week.

8. 사회보험 적용여부sahoeboheom jeogyongyeobusahoeboheom jeogyongyeobuSocial insuranceWhich of the four insurances you are enrolled in: employment, industrial accident, National Pension and health. Industrial accident insurance (산재보험) covers work injuries for every worker, including foreigners.

9. 근로계약서 교부geunrogyeyakseo gyobugeunrogyeyakseo gyobuYou receive a copyThe employer must give you a signed copy whether or not you ask. Not doing so can be fined up to ₩5 million. Keep it — you will need it for visa extensions and disputes.

10. 성실한 이행의무seongsilhan ihaenguimuseongsilhan ihaenguimuDuty to keep the contractBoth sides follow the contract, the company rules of employment (취업규칙) and any collective agreement.

11. 기타gitagitaOtherAnything not written in the contract follows the Labor Standards Act.

서명seomyeongseomyeongSignaturesDate and both signatures. Do not sign a blank or partly blank contract.

Other words you may see

근로계약기간geunrogyeyakgigangeunrogyeyakgiganContract periodStart and end dates on a fixed-term contract.

수습기간suseupgigansuseupgiganProbation periodA trial period. Pay can be 90% of the minimum wage for the first 3 months only on a contract of 1 year or more, and never for simple manual jobs.

포괄임금pogwarimgeumpogwarimgeumPay with overtime includedA wage that already includes a fixed amount of overtime. Ask how many overtime hours it covers.

단시간근로자dansigangeunrojadansigangeunrojaPart-time workerSomeone with shorter hours than full-time staff. Their contract must also state working days and hours for each day.

취업규칙chwieopgyuchikchwieopgyuchikRules of employmentCompany rules that workplaces with 10+ employees must file. They apply alongside your contract.

퇴직금toejikgeumtoejikgeumSeverance payOne month’s average pay per year worked, for one year or more of work at 15+ hours a week.

What to check

Get a signed copy before or on your first day — the employer must give you one.
Check the hourly rate: monthly wage ÷ 209 must be at least ₩10,320 (2026) or ₩10,700 (from 2027).
Make sure the duties and workplace match what your visa allows.
If anything is not written down — overtime, night work, housing deductions — ask for it in the contract.
Questions or problems: Ministry of Employment and Labor 1350 (interpreters available).

Check the numbers

Official websites

Ministry of Employment and Labor (고용노동부) — call 1350 www.moel.go.kr

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We check these guides against official sources, but rules and forms change. Last checked October 13, 2026. For your own case, ask the office named on your bill or call the help line listed above.

Korean Employment Contract Explained 근로계약서

Every line, explained

Other words you may see

What to check

Check the numbers

Official websites

Related

All bills and contracts