Childcare leave benefit

Childcare leave lets you take time off to care for a child, with a benefit paid from employment insurance. Nationality makes no difference.

Who this covers

• Workers enrolled in employment insurance who have worked the qualifying period
• There are conditions such as the child's age — check with 1350
• Foreign workers meeting the conditions are eligible

Steps

1. Apply to your company for childcare leave. In writing, before the required notice period.
2. The company issues a confirmation.
3. Claim the benefit from employment insurance.
   • Online: www.ei.go.kr
   • In person: your employment centre
4. Claim each month and check payment.
5. There may be remaining benefit after you return to work. Check.

What you need

• The childcare leave confirmation from the company
• Family relationship and child documents
• Passport and Alien Registration Card
• A bank account in your name

Where to go

• Employment insurance www.ei.go.kr · 1350
• Your employment centre
• Your local support centre for foreign workers

Questions people ask

My company says no. Refusing a qualifying application is illegal. Get advice from 1350 and you can file a complaint.

I was dismissed for taking childcare leave. Dismissal or disadvantage because of childcare leave is illegal. Keep records and report it to 1350.

Can fathers take it? Yes. Both parents can take it.

How much is it? It depends on your wage and the scheme, and changes yearly. Check with 1350 or the employment insurance website.

Take care

There are claim deadlines. Contact the employment centre as soon as your leave starts to confirm the schedule.

Related

childcare-support · parental-benefit · casualty-insurance · labor-standards-basics

Source

Ministry of Employment and Labor, www.ei.go.kr / As of 2026-08