Severance pay in Korea is a statutory right — not a benefit. Under the Guarantee of Workers’ Retirement Benefits Act (GWRBA), every employee who has worked in Korea for at least one year is entitled to severance pay upon leaving their job, regardless of the reason for departure. This right applies equally to Korean nationals and foreign workers, and even to employees whose contracts are governed by foreign law.
Written by a Korean-licensed labor lawyer with over 20 years of experience, this guide explains who is eligible, how severance pay is calculated, and what to do if your employer refuses to pay — whether you are working for a Korean company or a foreign multinational operating in Korea, or even working abroad for Korean employers.