In South Korea, employee leave and holidays are primarily governed by the Labor Standards Act, which outlines key entitlements and regulations to ensure workers can take necessary time off.

Vacation Leave Entitlement

1. Vacation Days for New Employees:

Workers who have not yet completed a full year of service, or whose attendance is under 80% during that period, are eligible for one day of leave for every month they meet at least 80% attendance.

2. Full-Year Entitlement:

Upon completing a full year of service with at least 80% attendance, employees are entitled to a minimum of 15 days of paid leave.

3. Incremental Leave:

For those who remain with the company for more than one year and continue to meet the 80% attendance threshold, an additional day of leave is granted every two years starting in the third year of employment. This increase continues until the total leave reaches a cap of 25 days.

Key Leave Considerations

1. Unused Leave:

South Korean labor laws do not require employers to carry over unused annual leave into the following year unless specifically stated in the employment contract. If the employee does not use their leave within the year, it is typically forfeited.

2. Compensation for Unused Leave:

Should an employee leave the company, whether through resignation or termination, the employer must compensate for any unused vacation days accumulated during that year.

Public Holidays in South Korea

South Korea celebrates a combination of traditional holidays, based on the lunar calendar, and modern national holidays. Here are some of the major public holidays:

1. Seollal (Lunar New Year):

Celebrated for three days, Seollal is one of Korea’s most significant holidays, typically occurring in late January or early February. Families gather to honor ancestors and enjoy traditional dishes like rice cake soup (tteokguk).

2. Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving):

Similar to Seollal, Chuseok is another important holiday that takes place on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, usually in September or October. It is a time for family reunions and traditional meals, including the popular half-moon rice cakes (songpyeon).

3. Independence Movement Day (March 1st):

This day honors the historic March 1st Movement of 1919, a key event in the country's struggle for independence from Japanese colonial rule.

4. Children’s Day (May 5th):

A special day dedicated to celebrating children, often marked by family outings and activities.

5. Buddha’s Birthday:

A major Buddhist celebration that typically falls in April or May, according to the lunar calendar. It is commemorated with temple visits and lantern festivals.

6. Liberation Day (August 15th):

Marks Korea's liberation from Japanese occupation in 1945.

7. National Foundation Day (October 3rd):

This holiday celebrates the legendary founding of Korea’s first kingdom, Gojoseon, in 2333 BC.

8. Hangeul Day (October 9th):

Recognizes the creation of the Korean alphabet, Hangeul, and is celebrated nationwide.

9. Christmas Day (December 25th):

Despite South Korea’s predominantly Buddhist population, Christmas Day is widely celebrated across the country.

Types of Leave in South Korea

The Labor Standards Act also ensures that employees have access to various types of leave for personal, family, and health-related matters.

1. Annual Paid Leave:

Employees who have completed one year of service are entitled to a minimum of 15 days of paid annual leave. After every two years, an additional day is added until a maximum of 25 days is reached. Employees have the right to use their leave in portions and can request to take at least 25% of their leave consecutively.

2. Menstrual Leave:

Female employees are entitled to one day of unpaid menstrual leave per month.

3. Maternity Leave:

Mothers are eligible for 90 days of maternity leave, which may be partially covered by government or employer contributions.

4. Childcare Leave:

Both parents can take childcare leave until their child reaches the age of one year. This leave may be paid depending on company policy.

5. Marriage Leave:

Employees are entitled to three days of paid leave for their own wedding.

6. Bereavement Leave:

In the event of the death of a spouse, parent, or child, employees are entitled to three days of paid leave.

7. Other Leave Types:

   – Sick Leave: Unpaid sick leave is available if employees provide sufficient justification. Some companies may offer paid sick leave.

   – Family Care Leave: Employees can take leave to care for seriously ill family members.Public

   – Service Leave: This leave is available for civic duties, such as jury service or voting.

Conclusion

Understanding South Korea's leave policies is essential for both employers and employees to ensure compliance with labor laws and proper work-life balance. The country offers a range of leave entitlements that cater to various personal, family, and national needs, fostering a supportive environment for workers to rest, recover, and celebrate important milestones.