- 1
Calculate exactly what you're owed
Calculate unpaid salary, severance and unused leave pay separately.
e.g. ₩3M/month · 3 years → ₩8.8M Open severance pay calculator - 2
Calculate late interest
If you're still unpaid 14 days after leaving, you can claim 20% annual late interest.
e.g. petition → confirmation → substitute payment Open unpaid wage interest calculator - 3
File a petition with the labor office
File an unpaid wage petition online on the Labor Portal. A labor inspector investigates the employer.
Labor Portal (unpaid wage petitions) - 4
Get an unpaid wage confirmation
Once unpaid wages are confirmed after the petition, you can get an "employer confirmation of unpaid wages".
Ministry of Employment and Labor (helpline 1350) - 5
Apply for substitute payment
A program where the state pays a set amount first even if the company has no money (COMWEL).
Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service (substitute payments · industrial accidents) - 6
Free litigation support
If you need to sue, the Korea Legal Aid Corporation offers free litigation for workers with unpaid wages.
Korea Legal Aid Corporation (free legal advice 132)
Official agencies that can help
Guides for other situations
STEP BY STEP5 steps to grow money from your paycheckBudget → Emergency fund → Gov. loans → Tax-smart investing → Financial independence8-step guide STEP BY STEPEverything you're owed when you quitSeverance, unused leave pay, unemployment benefits and taxes, in order6-step guide STEP BY STEPPreparing for childbirth & parental leaveParental leave pay, annual leave and when to apply4-step guide STEP BY STEPWhen debt gets out of handFrom the right debt adjustment for you to handling seizures and collectors6-step guide STEP BY STEPPreparing for a job change or salary negotiationCompare the take-home pay and hourly value of an offered salary4-step guide
This guide describes general procedures and is not legal advice. Check your individual case with each agency.