Filing a complaint with the labour office
A complaint is a formal request to the labour office to look into the problem. It is free.
Who this covers
- Anyone not paid wages, severance or allowances
- Anyone not given a contract, or whose working conditions breach the law
Steps
- Identify the labour office with jurisdiction. It is based on the workplace address; 1350 will tell you.
- File the complaint.
- Online: labour portal labor.moel.go.kr
- In person: the civil affairs desk of the labour office
- A labour inspector is assigned. Note their contact details.
- Attend the investigation. Sometimes you are questioned together with the employer. Request an interpreter in advance.
- Once the facts are established, a payment order follows.
- If the employer does not comply, the case may go to the prosecution, or move to the wage guarantee fund or civil proceedings.
What you need
- Passport and Alien Registration Card
- Workplace name and address, employer's name and contact
- Contract, attendance records, payslips, transfer records
- A note listing the unpaid periods and amounts
Where to go
- Labour portal labor.moel.go.kr
- 1350 Ministry of Employment and Labor (interpretation, procedure)
- Your regional labour office civil affairs desk
- 132 Korea Legal Aid Corporation
Questions people ask
Does it cost anything? The complaint itself is free.
Do I have to face my employer? There may be a joint questioning session. If you are afraid, tell the inspector in advance and go with a support centre worker or an interpreter.
How long does it take? It varies by case. Contact your assigned inspector to ask about progress.
I have to leave the country before it ends. Before departing, tell the inspector and 1350, and leave a contactable account and phone number.
Take care
Do not sign anything you did not understand during the investigation. You have the right to an interpreter. If a settlement is suggested, check the amount and terms before deciding.
Related
unpaid-wages-report · unpaid-wages-evidence · wage-guarantee-fund · wage-claim-small-claims
Source
Ministry of Employment and Labor labour portal labor.moel.go.kr / As of 2026-08