South KoreaMy boss is forcing me to submit a resignation letter.
You cannot be forced to resign in South Korea — doing so under coercion may make your resignation invalid, and you may be entitled to severance pay and reinstatement.
What the Law Says
South Korean labor law strictly prohibits employers from forcing employees to resign. A resignation made under coercion, threat, or unfair pressure is not legally valid and may be treated as an unlawful dismissal.
Under the Labor Standards Act (LSA), an employee’s resignation must be voluntary and based on free will. If an employer uses intimidation, threats, demotion, salary cuts, or hostile work conditions to push an employee to quit, that resignation is considered invalid.
The LSA defines dismissal broadly — including 'constructive dismissal' — where working conditions become so intolerable that resignation is the only option. In such cases, the law treats it as if the employer dismissed the worker without just cause.
Employees who resign under coercion retain rights to severance pay, unemployment benefits, and possible reinstatement — provided they act within the legal time limits.
Statutory TextAn employer shall not dismiss a worker without just cause.
— Labor Standards Act, s. 23 — Dismissal
Statutory TextA worker who has worked continuously for at least one year shall be entitled to severance pay upon termination of employment.
— Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act, s. 39 — Severance Pay Eligibility
Statutory TextResignation shall be deemed to have been made freely and voluntarily; any resignation induced by coercion, fraud, or abuse of power shall be null and void.
— Labor Standards Act Enforcement Decree, s. 5 — Validity of Resignation
What to Do
Do not sign any resignation letter under pressure — ask for written reasons and time to consult.
Document all incidents: emails, messages, witness names, and dates showing coercion or hostile conduct.
File a complaint with the local Labor Office (Ministry of Employment and Labor) within 1 year.
Request confirmation in writing that your resignation was voluntary — if refused, this supports coercion claims.
Consult a labor attorney or union before signing anything; free legal aid is available via the Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service (COMWELFARE).
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.