My part-time pay seems below minimum wage — how do I check and what can I do?
I work part-time at a cafe and I suspect my hourly pay isn't being calculated correctly. I'd like to know this year's minimum wage in Korea, what the weekly holiday allowance (주휴수당) is, and whether foreigners are entitled to it. If I've been underpaid, where can I report it or get help?
1 Answer
Korea's 2026 minimum wage is 10,320 won per hour, up from 10,030 in 2025. A cafe job must pay at least this regardless of nationality, and night work from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. gets a 1.5 times premium. The weekly holiday allowance (주휴수당) gives you an extra day's pay when you work at least 15 hours a week and complete your scheduled days, and foreign workers are entitled to it just the same, which effectively raises your real hourly rate. Make sure you have a written employment contract stating your hourly wage and hours, and check your pay slip to confirm the math. If you've been underpaid, call the labor counseling line at 1350, which has foreign-language support, or file an unpaid-wage complaint at your regional labor office; they can help you recover the difference.