Parental leave duration and benefits after the 2025 changes

Eligible employees can usually take up to one year of parental leave, or 18 months in specified cases. Benefit caps change by month of leave.

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

Who can take leave

An employee caring for a child aged eight or younger, or in the second grade of elementary school or below, may generally request parental leave, including for an adopted child. The usual limit is one year. Six more months can apply when both parents each use at least three months for the same child, or for specified single-parent or disability cases.

Monthly benefits

Since January 2025, benefits are 100% of ordinary wage capped at KRW 2.5 million monthly in months 1–3, 100% capped at KRW 2 million in months 4–6, and 80% capped at KRW 1.6 million from month 7, each subject to the stated floor. The former deferred-payment portion is paid during leave under the new system.

The 6+6 parent scheme

If both parents take leave for a child younger than 18 months, their first six months may receive enhanced 100% ordinary-wage support. The monthly caps rise across those six months; confirm both parents’ qualifying periods.

Claims and short-term leave

Benefit eligibility generally requires at least 180 insured-unit days before leave and 30 days of leave. Apply from one month after leave begins through 12 months after it ends. The guide also notes a short-term parental-leave option introduced in August 2026; its days count against the overall leave entitlement.

Sources

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