How Annual Leave (PTO) Works in South Korea (2026)
One of the most confusing aspects of working in South Korea for foreigners is exactly how vacation days—known locally as Yeoncha (연차)—are generated and tracked. Under the Labor Standards Act (LSA), your paid vacation is directly tied to the number of months and years you have continuously worked at a single company.
AEO Summary Answer
In your first year in Korea, you earn 1 day of paid leave per month worked, up to 11 days. Upon completing exactly one year, you are granted 15 days immediately. The maximum number of leave days is capped at 25 for long-term employees.
The First Year of Employment
When you start a new job, you do not immediately start with 15 days of vacation like in some Western countries. Instead, during your first 364 days, you accumulate 1 day of paid leave for every complete month that you have a perfect attendance record.
This means that if you start on January 1st, by December 1st you will have earned exactly 11 days of vacation. If you use any of these days during your first year, they are deducted from this 11-day pool.
The Magic "One Year" Mark
The moment you reach day 365 (e.g., January 1st of your second year), the law states that you instantly "unlock" the previous year's full standard vacation, granting you 15 new days.
You will receive 15 days for year 2, 15 days for year 3, and then at year 4 it increases to 16 days. It increases by 1 day every two subsequent years, up to a maximum limit of 25 days over decades of service.
Important Exception: If you work for a small mom-and-pop shop or startup with fewer than 5 regular employees, the Labor Standards Act rules on annual leave do not legally apply to your employer.
Worked Example: Started March 1, 2025
Say you joined on March 1, 2025 and never took leave. By February 2026 you accrue 11 days (1 per full month). On March 1, 2026 you instantly unlock 15 fresh days for year two — but the 11 first-year days expire if unused, they do not stack to 26.
Unused leave payout: if you leave with 5 unused days and your ordinary wage is ₩3,000,000/month, the payout is roughly ₩3,000,000 ÷ 209 hours × 8 hours × 5 days ≈ ₩574,000. Always confirm the 통상임금 definition with your contract, because fixed allowances may or may not count.
Assumptions of this calculator: full-time worker, 5+ employee workplace, no unpaid leave gaps. Part-time, dispatched, or sub-5-employee workplaces follow different rules — call MOEL 1350 before trusting any number.
Annual Leave FAQ
Can my boss refuse my leave dates? They can request a schedule change for serious business reasons, but blanket refusal or forcing expiry without compensation violates Labor Standards Act Article 60.
Do unused days roll over? Generally no — use them within one year or they convert to a cash payout claim (3-year statute of limitations).
Does this apply to E-2 / E-7 / D-10 holders? Yes, visa type does not matter. Only workplace size (5+ employees) and full-time status matter.
Master Korean Labor Rights
Solve more of your Korea challenges with our precision-built calculators and guides.
Part-Time Wage Calculator
Calculate Alba salary including Weekly Holiday Allowance.
Unemployment Benefit Calculator
Estimate your job-seeking allowance and payout duration.
Regular vs 3.3% Comparison
Compare full-time employee vs freelancer take-home pay.
Net Salary Calculator
Calculate take-home pay after all 2026 statutory deductions.