Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Gov't to raise cap on maternity leave benefits after minimum wage increase

The Ministry of Employment and Labor will raise maternity leave benefit caps to 2.2 million won in 2026, addressing minimum wage increases to prevent mismatches between minimums and maximums for workers.

2025-12-10

IMF recommends raising Korea's retirement age, overhaul seniority-based wages

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended that Korea raise its official retirement age to 65, but only if accompanied by structural reforms — increasing the pension eligibility age to 68 and overhauling the seniority-based wage system.

2025-11-26

New analysis reveals impact of wage gap on marital domestic responsibilities in Korea

Husbands tend to take on more child care and housework when their wives earn higher wages, while wives bear less of the domestic burden when their husbands come home earlier from work, according to new analysis.

2025-11-24

SK hynix strikes deal with workers on wage increase, bonus cap removal

After a three-month standoff, SK hynix's labor and management have reached a wage agreement, with the key terms including a 6 percent wage increase and the removal of the cap on performance-based bonuses (PS).

2025-09-04

Over 60 percent of businesses prefer rehiring former employees: Poll

Korean businesses prefer rehiring retired employees over extending their retirement age, a survey showed on Sunday, with wage burdens cited as the biggest obstacle to hiring senior workers.

2025-08-31

Still worst in the OECD, Korea's gender wage gap shrinks little by little

Korea's gender pay gap remains the largest among the 35 member states of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development at 29 percent, though

2025-08-29

'Repeated concerns': Workers say Korea's top security firm delayed wages and screwed up taxes

The Seoul Employment and Labor Office is investigating Kitri's president for wage delays and unpaid severance amid claims of financial struggles and leadership issues at the cybersecurity institute.

2025-08-17

Japan's minimum wage to exceed Korea's for first time 2 years

Japan’s minimum wage is set to surpass Korea’s for the first time in two years following a record increase approved by a government council.

2025-08-05

Next year's minimum wage to rise to 10,320 won, first decision on pay by Lee gov't

Next year’s minimum wage will be set at 10,320 won ($7.50) per hour, the first minimum wage decision under the Lee Jae Myung administration.

2025-07-11

Foreign caregiver program pits capital against Labor Ministry over cutting wages

Seoul’s pilot program for foreign caregivers has sparked a policy dispute with the central government, as the city pushes to lower labor costs to ease child care burdens, while the Ministry of Employment and Labor insists on equal wage protections.

2025-06-17