How many days of annual leave and holidays am I entitled to as a foreign worker in Korea?

Foreign workers in Korea get the same annual leave as Koreans under the Labor Standards Act, which is 15 days per year for employees who've worked at least 1 year with 80 percent attendance. In your first year, you accrue 1 day per month worked, so you'll have 11 days by the end of year 1. After 3 years, you get 1 extra day for every additional 2 years of service, capped at 25 days per year. These days carry over only with employer agreement, so use them before fiscal year-end (보통 12월 31일).

On top of annual leave, Korea has 15 public holidays. The big ones are Lunar New Year (설날, 3 days), Chuseok (추석, 3 days), Liberation Day (광복절, August 15), National Foundation Day (개천절, October 3), Hangeul Day (October 9), Christmas, and Buddha's Birthday. Substitute holidays (대체공휴일) apply when these fall on weekends. Sick leave isn't legally mandated separately but most companies grant it informally as paid or unpaid leave. If your employer refuses to honor your annual leave, file a complaint with the Ministry of Employment and Labor at 1350 (English helpline available). Keep written records of your leave requests for protection.