South Korea

My employer didn't provide a written employment contract.

₩2M fine
Maximum penalty
Before start
Deadline to provide
7 days
Record retention
Korean only
Language requirement
The Short Answer

Yes, it is a problem — South Korean law requires employers to provide a written employment contract before work begins, and failure to do so can result in fines up to ₩2 million.

What the Law Says

South Korean labor law mandates written employment contracts for most workers to ensure transparency and protect employee rights.

Under the Labor Standards Act, employers must provide a written employment contract to all employees before they begin work. This requirement applies to all workplaces with 10 or more regular employees. The contract must be written in Korean and include essential terms such as wages, working hours, holidays, and termination conditions.

Employers are also required to retain copies of employment contracts and related records for at least seven years. Failure to comply may result in administrative penalties, including fines.

The law treats the absence of a written contract as a violation even if the employer and employee have an oral agreement — the written form is mandatory for enforceability and inspection purposes.

Statutory Text

An employer shall provide a worker with a written employment contract before the worker commences work.

— Labor Standards Act, s. 17 — Written Employment Contract
Statutory Text

Any employer who fails to provide a written employment contract… shall be punished by a fine not exceeding two million won.

— Labor Standards Act, s. 109 — Penalties

What to Do

1

Request a written contract from your employer immediately — it must be provided before work starts, but you may still demand it retroactively.

2

If refused, file a complaint with the local Labor Office (Ministry of Employment and Labor).

3

Keep any evidence of employment (e.g., pay slips, emails, attendance records) to support your claim.

4

Seek free legal consultation through the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service (COMWELFARE) or local labor counseling centers.

Sources

statuteLabor Standards Act, s. 17 — Written Employment ContractstatuteLabor Standards Act, s. 109 — Penalties

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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.