How it works
Korea's minimum wage is ₩10,320 an hour in 2026 and rises to ₩10,700 in 2027. It applies to every worker, including foreign students on D-2 or D-4 visas with a part-time work permit.
Weekly holiday pay (주휴수당)
If you are scheduled for 15 hours or more a week and work every scheduled day, you get one extra paid day each week. For a full-time 40-hour week that's 8 extra hours. Part-timers get a share in proportion to their hours.
Weekly holiday pay = (weekly hours ÷ 40) × 8 × hourly wage
| Hours a week | Paid holiday hours | 2026 weekly holiday pay | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 hours | 3 | ₩30,960 | ₩32,100 |
| 20 hours | 4 | ₩41,280 | ₩42,800 |
| 25 hours | 5 | ₩51,600 | ₩53,500 |
| 30 hours | 6 | ₩61,920 | ₩64,200 |
| 40 hours | 8 | ₩82,560 | ₩85,600 |
With weekly holiday pay, the real full-time minimum is ₩2,156,880 a month (209 hours).
Student visa limits
D-2 and D-4 students need permission from immigration before taking a part-time job, and hours are capped during the semester depending on your course and Korean level. Working without permission can cost you your visa, so get the permit first.
Frequently asked questions
Do foreigners get weekly holiday pay?
Yes. It is part of the Labor Standards Act, which covers all workers in Korea whatever their nationality, at workplaces of any size.
My boss pays ₩10,320 flat. Is that legal?
Only if weekly holiday pay is paid on top when you work 15+ hours a week. If not, you are being underpaid and can report it to the labor office (1350).
What is the 3.3% deduction on my pay?
It means you are paid as a freelancer: 3% income tax plus 0.3% local tax. You can often get some of it back by filing a tax return in May.
Sources: Ministry of Employment and Labor, 2026 minimum wage notice (August 2025) · Minimum Wage Commission decision for 2027 (July 2026), effective 1 January 2027 · Labor Standards Act art. 18, 55
Last checked: 2026-10-19. Figures are updated every January.