Blog | Understanding Korea’s Leave System: Annual Leave, Sick Leave, and Public Holidays 🇰🇷
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Understanding Korea’s Leave System: Annual Leave, Sick Leave, and Public Holidays 🇰🇷

July 9, 2025

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Kowork
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This’s KOWORK, your career platform for foreigners in Korea.
 

If you are employed in Korea, it is important to understand the country's leave policies, including:

  • Annual Leave 🏖️
  • Sick Leave 🤒
  • Public Holidays 🎉
  • And company-specific options like half-day leave, quarter-day leave, and hourly leave ⏰🕒.

This guide explains the system clearly by dividing it into two main categories:

  1. Legally Mandated Leave ⚖️
  2. Company-Specific Leave Policies 🏢

     
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1. Legally Mandated Leave ⚖️

Annual Leave (연차) 🏖️

Annual leave is paid time off guaranteed by Korean labor law. It is a right granted to employees who meet certain conditions.

  • Employees who have worked at least one year and have an attendance rate of 80% or higher are entitled to a minimum of 15 days of paid leave per year.
  • The timing of the leave is determined by the employee, and the employer is obligated to grant it.

For employees with less than one year of service:

  • A system called monthly paid leave (월차) applies.
  • Employees who work a full month without absences earn 1 day of paid leave per month, mainly for new hires.

Sick Leave (병가) 🤒

  • Paid sick leave is not required by law in most cases.
  • However, specific situations such as work-related injuries or maternity leave are legally protected.
  • Many companies offer unpaid sick leave, or may require the use of annual or half-day leave to cover absences due to illness.

→ Sick leave policies vary by employer, and a medical certificate may be required. 🩺


Public Holidays (공휴일) 🎉

  • Designated public holidays are considered paid holidays for workers.
  • Substitute holidays (e.g., Lunar New Year, Chuseok, Children’s Day) are also paid.
  • If a holiday falls on a weekend, no additional compensation is provided.

Note: Some companies may not observe all government holidays, so it is advisable to check the employment contract. 📄


2. Company-Specific Leave Policies 🏢

Half-Day Leave (반차) ⏳

This system allows an employee to use one full day of annual leave in two 4-hour segments.

  • Based on a standard 8-hour workday.
  • Employees can usually choose either a morning or afternoon half-day.
  • Two half-day leaves equal one full annual leave day.

Implementation may vary by company; please refer to internal policies.


Quarter-Day Leave (반반차) ⏲️

An increasingly common option that allows annual leave to be divided into four 2-hour segments.

  • 1 annual leave day = 4 uses of 2-hour leave
  • Offers greater flexibility than half-day leave
  • Often used for brief tasks such as bank visits or medical appointments 🏦🏥

Not all employers offer this option. Availability depends on company policy.


Hourly Leave (시간단위 연차) ⏰

A more detailed form of leave allowing employees to take time off in 1-hour or 30-minute units.

  • Typically available in companies with flexible work arrangements
  • Commonly supported by time management systems like Shiftee 💻

Availability depends on the employer's internal systems and policies.


Comparison of Similar Leave Types 🔍

Quarter-Day Leave (반반차)  vs. Early Leave (조퇴)

CategoryQuarter-Day Leave ⏲️Early Leave (조퇴) 🚪
CompensationPaid (deducted from annual leave) Unpaid (deducted from salary) 
PurposePlanned personal matters Unexpected or emergency situations 
Use CaseScheduled in advance Usually unplanned 

 

Example: Leaving 2 hours early? Using quarter-day leave avoids salary deduction. 🙌


Sick Leave vs. Annual Leave 🤒🏖️

CategorySick LeaveAnnual Leave
Paid?Depends on company policyPaid (legally guaranteed) 
UsageWhen illAt employee’s discretion 
DocumentationMay require medical proof 🩺Often no documentation required 

 


Final Notes 📝

  • Annual leave is a legally protected right.
  • Half-day, quarter-day, sick leave, and other types may vary by employer. Always check your employment contract and company regulations.
  • For sick leave or early departures, notify your employer in advance and prepare any required documentation. 

A clear understanding of Korea’s leave system can help employees better manage their work-life balance 💼🏡.

📩 For any questions, please contact KOWORK. 📩

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