Korean Employment Contract (근로계약서) in English: Terms Your Employer Must Put in Writing
An English summary of the working conditions a Korean employer must state in a written employment contract (근로계약서) under the Labor Standards Act, with the official sources.
In Korea, the employment contract is called 근로계약서 (geullo gyeyakseo). The Ministry of Employment and Labor publishes standard forms, and the Labor Standards Act lists what must be in writing. This page summarizes those items in English so you can check a contract you have been given.
Items that must be stated (Article 17)
| Item | Korean term | In writing and handed over? |
|---|---|---|
| Wages: components, calculation and payment method | 임금 (구성항목·계산방법·지급방법) | Yes |
| Contractual working hours | 소정근로시간 | Yes |
| Weekly holidays (Article 55) | 휴일 | Yes |
| Annual paid leave (Article 60) | 연차 유급휴가 | Yes |
| Place of work and duties | 취업의 장소와 종사하여야 할 업무 | Must be stated (Enforcement Decree, Article 8) |
| Matters in the rules of employment, dormitory rules if any | 취업규칙·기숙사 규칙 | Must be stated (Enforcement Decree, Article 8) |
Source: Labor Standards Act, Article 17; Enforcement Decree, Article 8. A written document may be electronic (Article 17, paragraph 2).
Other points worth checking
- No penalty clauses for quitting. An employer may not make a contract that fixes in advance a penalty or damages for breaking the employment contract (Article 20).
- Minimum wage. The 2026 minimum wage is 10,320 won per hour (Ministry of Employment and Labor). Our Korean contract form compares the wage you enter with it.
- Small workplaces. The Act applies to workplaces with 5 or more regular employees; workplaces with 4 or fewer are covered only by the provisions set by Presidential Decree (Article 11).
- Penalty. Breaking Article 17 can be fined up to 5 million won (Article 114).
Write one
Our standard employment contract form follows the item order of the Ministry’s standard form for regular, fixed-term, part-time and minor workers. The form and the printed contract are in Korean; use this page to understand each item. Nothing you type is uploaded.
Open the employment contract form (Korean) →
FAQ
Does the employer have to give me a copy?
Yes. Under Article 17 of the Labor Standards Act, wage components and how they are calculated and paid, contractual working hours, weekly holidays and annual paid leave must be stated in writing and the document must be given to the worker.
Can the contract be electronic?
Article 17(2) allows the written document to be an electronic document under the Framework Act on Electronic Documents and Transactions.
Is there a penalty if there is no written contract?
Breaking Article 17 can lead to a fine of up to 5 million won (Article 114). For fixed-term and part-time workers, failing to state the required conditions in writing can lead to an administrative fine under the Act on the Protection of Fixed-term and Part-time Employees.
Related guides
- Certificate of Employment in Korea (재직증명서) in English: What It Includes and How to Make One
- Certificate of Career in Korea (경력증명서) in English: Proving Past Work Experience
Legal sources: Korea Ministry of Government Legislation, National Law Information Center (law.go.kr), checked October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Laws change; check the current text for important matters.
What every billing document should show
- Your business name, address and tax ID (VAT, GST, ABN or EIN where required)
- The customer’s name and address
- A unique, sequential number and the issue date
- Clear line items with quantity, unit price and amount
- Tax shown separately, and the total in a stated currency
Tax rules differ by country. If you are VAT- or GST-registered, your tax authority may require extra details on invoices (for example the tax rate per line and the customer’s VAT number for business sales).
Last reviewed: October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice.