Calculating and claiming severance pay

If you worked continuously for a qualifying period, you get severance pay when you leave. Whether you resigned or were dismissed does not matter.

Who this covers

• Workers with continuous service beyond the qualifying period
• Workers whose weekly hours meet the threshold
• Nationality and visa status make no difference

What to know

1. It is calculated from the average wage over a set period before leaving. Bonuses and allowances may be included.
2. It must be paid within a set period after you leave. Late payment can accrue interest.
3. Some companies run retirement pension schemes (DB/DC). In that case you receive it from the financial institution.
4. For E-9 workers, departure guarantee insurance serves this purpose. See the severance-departure guide.

Steps

1. Confirm your start and end dates.
2. Gather wage records from before you left. Payslips, transfer records.
3. Ask the company to pay. Keep it in messages.
4. If the deadline passes, get advice from 1350 and file a complaint.

What you need

• Labour contract and proof of start date
• Recent payslips and transfer records
• Passport and Alien Registration Card
• A bank account in your own name

Where to go

• 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labor (calculation and claims)
• Your regional labour office · labor.moel.go.kr
• Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service 1588-0075 (retirement pension)
• Your local support centre for foreign workers

Questions people ask

They say "foreigners don't get severance". Not true. If you meet the conditions, you receive it regardless of nationality.

I changed workplace partway through. It is calculated per workplace. Confirm each period of service.

I have to leave the country and haven't been paid. Keep your account open before departure and tell the labour office and 1350. There are ways to receive it after leaving.

I don't know how much I am owed. 1350 or a support centre can help calculate it. Bring your payslips.

Take care

If asked to sign a "no severance" statement when leaving, do not sign. Legal rights are not erased by a waiver, but the dispute drags on.

Related

severance-departure · annual-leave · unpaid-wages-report · wage-guarantee-fund

Source

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