South KoreaMy employer isn't enrolling me in the 4 major insurances.
In South Korea, employers must enroll all employees in the four major social insurances (National Health Insurance, National Pension, Employment Insurance, and Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance) — failure to do so is illegal and subject to penalties.
What the Law Says
South Korean law requires employers to automatically enroll all employees—including part-timers working ≥60 hours/month—in the four statutory social insurance programs. Enrollment must happen within strict deadlines, and employers bear full legal responsibility for compliance.
The National Health Insurance Act mandates that employers enroll employees in the National Health Insurance (NHI) program no later than the day of employment or within 30 days of hiring — whichever comes first. Employers must also deduct and remit employee contributions monthly.
Under the National Pension Act, employers must enroll eligible workers (aged 18–59) in the National Pension Scheme within 30 days of employment. Failure results in liability for unpaid premiums plus interest and penalties.
The Employment Insurance Act requires enrollment for all workers employed ≥60 hours/month, again within 30 days. Employers must pay half the premium; employees pay the other half.
The Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act obliges employers to enroll *all* workers—including daily and part-time workers—immediately upon employment, with no grace period. Coverage is automatic and mandatory for all workplaces with one or more employees.
Statutory TextAn employer shall enroll a worker in the national health insurance within thirty days from the date of employment.
— National Health Insurance Act, s. 32 — Enrollment of Insured Persons
Statutory TextAn employer shall enroll an insured person in the national pension scheme within thirty days from the date of employment.
— National Pension Act, s. 37 — Enrollment of Insured Persons
Statutory TextAn employer shall enroll a worker who works at least sixty hours per month in employment insurance within thirty days from the date of employment.
— Employment Insurance Act, s. 15 — Enrollment of Insured Persons
Statutory TextAn employer shall enroll all workers in industrial accident compensation insurance immediately upon employment.
— Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act, s. 10 — Enrollment of Workers
What to Do
Confirm your employment start date and check whether you’ve been enrolled in all four insurances via the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), National Pension Service (NPS), Employment Insurance portal (www.ei.go.kr), and Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service (COMWELFARE) websites.
Contact your employer in writing (email or certified letter) requesting immediate enrollment and payment of retroactive premiums.
If unresolved within 7 days, file a complaint online via the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s ‘Labor Rights Protection Center’ (https://www.moel.go.kr) or call 1350.
Request retroactive enrollment: Authorities will compel your employer to enroll you back to your original hire date and pay all overdue premiums — including employer and employee shares (you won’t owe back payments).
Document everything: Keep copies of employment contracts, payslips, communication records, and complaint receipts.
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.