Reporting unpaid wages
If you were not paid for work you did, you can report it — whatever your nationality or visa status. Korean labour law protects foreign workers the same way.
Who needs this
- Anyone who did not receive wages, holiday pay, severance or overtime on time
- Anyone who left a job and was not settled up within the legal period
- Your visa status does not stop you from filing
Steps
- Collect evidence. Contract, attendance records, bank statements, messages with your employer — even fragments help.
- Call 1350 first. The labour counselling line provides interpretation.
- File the complaint at the regional labour office covering the workplace, or online.
- Attend the investigation. A labour inspector will hear both sides.
- Follow the outcome. If the employer still refuses to pay, the case can move to criminal or civil proceedings.
Documents
- Something that identifies you (Alien Registration Card)
- Labour contract — you can still file without one
- A note of the amount owed and the period
- Any attendance or pay records
Where to go
- 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labor counselling (interpretation available)
- The regional labour office for the workplace
- Online: www.moel.go.kr
Questions people ask
Will my employer retaliate? Dismissing or penalising someone for filing is prohibited. If it happens, report that too.
I left the job a long time ago. Wage claims have a time limit. The longer you wait the weaker your position — call 1350 soon.
I don't speak Korean. 1350 supports several languages, and you can ask for interpretation at the office as well.
Source and date
Based on public guidance from the Ministry of Employment and Labor (www.moel.go.kr). Procedures may change.