Minimum wage in 2026: 13,200 won per hour

The minimum wage for 2026 has been set at 10,320 won per hour, a 2.9% increase from this year.

This minimum wage was set through labor-management agreement for the first time in 17 years since 2008. No objections were raised during the ten-day appeal period from July 18 to July 28.

On the 5th, the Ministry of Employment and Labor finalized and announced the “2026 Minimum Wage,” raising it by 290 won, or 2.9%, from this year to 10,320 won per hour.

This equates to 2,156,880 won per month (based on a 40-hour week and 209 hours per month) and applies equally to all workplaces, regardless of industry.

Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Young-hoon stated, “We will strengthen supervision and policy promotion to ensure that the established minimum wage is properly observed in the workplace. We will also explore ways to improve the minimum wage system so that it adheres to its original purpose while faithfully reflecting the evolving labor market and real-world conditions.”

[Editor Lee]