Korea, by the rules

A Korean reads the official rulebook so you don't have to.

For workers

Wages, leave, severance, visas, and housing rules for people who work or live in Korea.

Hiring, payroll, contracts, and termination rules for employers with staff in Korea.

Korean payroll in 2026: the four social insurances and who pays whatThe 2026 contribution rates for Korea's four mandatory social insurances — national pension, health insurance, employment insurance, and industrial accident insurance — with the article citations, for employers and for workers checking their payslip.
Drunk driving in Korea: the 0.03% threshold and the penalty tableWhat blood alcohol level counts as drunk driving in Korea, the prison and fine ranges under the Road Traffic Act, and what happens to your license.
Korea's minimum wage in 2026 and 2027: hourly, monthly, and what weekly holiday pay addsThe official hourly and monthly minimum wage for 2026 and 2027, where the 209-hour monthly figure comes from, who is covered, and three worked examples for hourly, monthly, and part-time pay.
Year-end tax settlement (연말정산) for foreign employees in Korea, and the flat 19% electionHow Korea's year-end wage tax settlement works, how residents and nonresidents are defined, the progressive tax brackets under Article 55, and the optional flat 19% rate for foreign workers under Article 18-2 of the Restriction of Special Taxation Act.

Not legal advice. See the editorial policy.