What to check in a Korean employment contract

A written employment contract should clearly state wages, working hours, holidays and leave. Keep your own copy and compare it with payslips.

Checked 2026-09-23 · Estimates and reference information, not legal or tax advice.

Required terms

Check the workplace, job, contract period where relevant, wage components and payment date, scheduled hours and breaks, weekly rest, and annual leave. The exact statutory written items depend on the type of worker.

A copy for the worker

The employer must provide the required written terms to the employee. Do not rely only on a verbal explanation. Keep signed versions and later amendments.

How wage components should read

Base salary, regular allowances, overtime pay and deductions should be distinguishable. A lump sum that claims to include overtime needs an explanation of covered hours and amounts.

Before signing

Check probation terms, renewal, work location, overtime expectations and what company rules are incorporated. Ask for clarification where wording is ambiguous.

Sources

These Korean-language sources were checked on 2026-09-23. Laws and rates may have changed; consult the originals before an important decision.