How long is parental leave in the Republic of Korea?

In the Republic of Korea, the law allows employees to take up to 18 months of leave for maternity protection, applicable to pregnant female employees, or for child care. This leave is available to any male or female employee with a child who is 12 years old or younger.

What are the eligibility rules for parental leave in the Republic of Korea?

To be eligible for parental leave in the Republic of Korea, a supported employee must meet the following criteria:

• The supported employee must have 6 months or more of consecutive service.
• The leave is intended to nurture a child who is 12 years of age or younger, or who is enrolled in the second grade of elementary school or below, and this includes legally adopted children.

Additionally, if a supported employee eligible for parental leave chooses to reduce their working hours for childcare instead of taking a leave of absence, they are allowed to do so. An employee on a work-hour reduction program during the childcare period may extend this program period by 200% of any remaining parental leave.

How is parental leave payment calculated in the Republic of Korea?

In the Republic of Korea, employers are not required to pay supported employees during parental leave. Instead, the government subsidizes parental leave pay, covering 80% of the supported employee's ordinary wages, with a maximum limit of KRW 1,500,000.

What is the process for applying for paternity leave in the Republic of Korea?

To apply for paternity leave in the Republic of Korea, the supported employee must follow these steps:

• Send a parental leave request to the HRx Team.
• Apply for the leave using our Global Work Platform™.
• Ensure the supported employee's manager approves the leave dates in our Global Work Platform™.

How long is maternity leave in the Republic of Korea?

Female employees in the Republic of Korea are entitled to 90 days of paid maternity leave. For multiple births, employees are entitled to 120 days of maternity leave. At least 45 days (60 days for multiple pregnancies) must be taken after childbirth.

What are the eligibility rules for maternity leave in the Republic of Korea?

In the Republic of Korea, an employer must grant a pregnant female employee a total of 90 days, or 120 days if pregnant with two or more babies, of paid maternity leave to be used before or after childbirth. Forty-five days, or 60 days if pregnant with two or more babies, of maternity leave must be allocated after childbirth. The first 60 days, or 75 days if pregnant with two or more babies, of leave are to be paid by the employer, and the remaining 30 days, or 45 days if pregnant with two or more babies, are to be paid from the Employment Insurance Fund. Maternity leave must be allowed for premature births, miscarriages, and stillbirths.

Male employees are entitled to 20 days of paid leave within 120 days of a child’s birth. The leave can be used in three installments.

How is maternity leave payment calculated in the Republic of Korea?

Maternity leave payment in the Republic of Korea is calculated as follows:

• The subsidy is determined by the Employment Insurance Center and is provided for 90 days (or 120 days in the case of multiple births).
• For the initial 60 days (75 days if the employee is pregnant with at least two children simultaneously) of the leave period, the employer pays the supported employee, subtracting the government subsidy provided.

What is the process for applying for maternity leave in the Republic of Korea?

In the Republic of Korea, the process for applying for maternity leave involves the following steps:

• A pregnant employee is entitled to a total of 90 days of maternity leave, or 120 days if pregnant with two or more children. At least 45 days, or 60 days for multiple pregnancies, must be taken after childbirth.

• The employee should discuss and agree upon the specific period for taking maternity leave with their manager. Once confirmed, the employee must submit a pregnancy confirmation document to the HRx Team and specify the exact duration of the leave.

• The first 60 days, or 75 days for multiple pregnancies, of maternity leave are paid, with the employer responsible for maintaining the same level of salary. However, if the maternity leave subsidy is covered by employment insurance, the employer is exempted from paying the salary up to the amount covered by the insurance.

For more details, refer to Article 74 (Protection for Maternity) in the Korea Law website (https://elaw.klri.re.kr/kor_service/jomunPrint.do?hseq=59932&cseq=1702372).

How long is the paternity leave in the Republic of Korea?

In the Republic of Korea, fathers are entitled to 20 days of paternity leave.

What are the eligibility rules for paternity leave in the Republic of Korea?

In the Republic of Korea, employees whose spouses give birth are entitled to paternity leave.

How is paternity leave payment calculated in the Republic of Korea?

Paternity leave in the Republic of Korea is treated as paid time off for special occasions.

What is the process for applying for parental leave in the Republic of Korea?

To apply for parental leave in the Republic of Korea, the supported employee needs to follow these steps:

• Send a parental leave request to the HRx Team.
• Apply for parental leave in our Global Work Platform™.
• Ensure the supported employee's manager approves the dates in our Global Work Platform™.