About Korea's parental leave benefit
Korea's parental leave benefit pays employees enrolled in employment insurance a percentage of their ordinary wage while on parental leave; since 2025-01-01 the 25% deferred-payment rule has been abolished, so the full benefit is paid every month during leave. The rate and monthly cap depend on how many months have been used: 100% of ordinary wage (capped at KRW 2.5 million) for months 1-3, 100% (capped at KRW 2 million) for months 4-6, and 80% (capped at KRW 1.6 million) from month 7 onward.
When both parents take parental leave, the '6+6 Parental Leave' scheme applies instead for the first 6 months: 100% of ordinary wage with higher monthly caps (KRW 2.5M for months 1-2, KRW 3M for month 3, KRW 3.5M for month 4, KRW 4M for month 5, KRW 4.5M for month 6), reverting to the standard rule (80%, capped at KRW 1.6 million) from month 7 onward.
How much is Korea's parental leave benefit?
Since 2025-01-01, the 25% deferred payment has been abolished, so the full benefit is now paid monthly during leave: months 1-3 pay 100% of ordinary wage (cap KRW 2.5 million/month), months 4-6 pay 100% (cap KRW 2 million/month), and month 7 onward pays 80% (cap KRW 1.6 million/month). For example, an employee with an ordinary wage of KRW 3 million who takes the full 12 months receives KRW 2.5M x 3 + KRW 2M x 3 + KRW 1.6M x 6 = KRW 23.1 million. Under the '6+6 Parental Leave' scheme, when both parents take leave, the first 6 months use higher monthly caps (up to KRW 4.5 million) at 100%, so a couple can receive substantially more combined.
How to calculate
- Choose a mode — the standard benefit used alone, or the 6+6 Parental Leave scheme used by both parents together.
- Enter your ordinary wage (pre-tax, in units of KRW 10,000) and the number of months of leave you plan to use (1-12).
- In 6+6 mode, enter each parent's own ordinary wage and months to see the combined household total.
- Check the monthly benefit table (rate and cap applied automatically) and the total benefit.
- Compare the standard and 6+6 totals for the same conditions directly in the comparison card.
Formula
Monthly benefit = min(ordinary wage x rate, that month's cap); Total benefit = sum of each month's benefit used
- Ordinary wage = wage as defined under the Labor Standards Act (pre-tax, in units of KRW 10,000)
- Rate = 100% for months 1-6, 80% from month 7 onward (both standard and 6+6)
- Monthly cap = fixed ceiling per band (standard KRW 2.5M/2M/1.6M; 6+6 KRW 2.5M-4.5M then KRW 1.6M)
Quick parental leave benefit examples
Ordinary wage KRW 3 million, 12 months of leave — what's the total?
Months 1-3: KRW 2.5M x 3, months 4-6: KRW 2M x 3, months 7-12: KRW 1.6M x 6 = 7.5+6+9.6 = KRW 23.1 million.
A couple each use 12 months under 6+6 (6 months of 6+6 plus 6 standard months) — what's the total?
With a high enough ordinary wage, each parent receives 2.5+2.5+3+3.5+4+4.5+1.6x6 = KRW 29.6 million, so KRW 59.2 million combined.
Ordinary wage KRW 2 million — what do months 1-3 pay?
100% of KRW 2 million is KRW 2 million, which is below the KRW 2.5 million cap, so the full KRW 2 million is paid.
Ordinary wage KRW 5 million — what does month 7 onward pay?
80% of KRW 5 million is KRW 4 million, which exceeds the KRW 1.6 million cap, so only the KRW 1.6 million cap is paid.
Ordinary wage KRW 1.5 million — what do months 4-6 pay?
100% of KRW 1.5 million is KRW 1.5 million, below the KRW 2 million cap, so the full KRW 1.5 million is paid.
What's the cap for 6+6 month 3?
KRW 3 million; an ordinary wage of KRW 3 million or more receives the full KRW 3 million.
What's the maximum total for using all 12 months?
Up to KRW 23.1 million under the standard benefit, or up to KRW 29.6 million per parent under 6+6 (each using 12 months).
What changed compared to before the deferred payment was abolished?
Previously, 25% of the benefit was withheld and paid separately after 6 months back at work; now there is no deferred portion, and the full amount is paid every month during leave.
Standard parental leave benefit bands
| Band | Rate | Monthly cap |
|---|
| Months 1-3 | 100% of ordinary wage | KRW 2.5 million |
| Months 4-6 | 100% of ordinary wage | KRW 2 million |
| Month 7 onward | 80% of ordinary wage | KRW 1.6 million |
6+6 Parental Leave bands
| Month | Rate | Monthly cap |
|---|
| Month 1 | 100% | KRW 2.5 million |
| Month 2 | 100% | KRW 2.5 million |
| Month 3 | 100% | KRW 3 million |
| Month 4 | 100% | KRW 3.5 million |
| Month 5 | 100% | KRW 4 million |
| Month 6 | 100% | KRW 4.5 million |
| Month 7 onward | 80% | KRW 1.6 million (standard rule applies) |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2025 parental leave benefit cap?
Months 1-3 pay 100% of ordinary wage capped at KRW 2.5 million/month, months 4-6 pay 100% capped at KRW 2 million/month, and month 7 onward pays 80% capped at KRW 1.6 million/month. Using the full 12 months yields up to KRW 23.1 million total.
What does 'the deferred payment was abolished' mean?
Before 2025-01-01, 25% of the parental leave benefit was withheld and paid only after the employee returned to work and completed 6 months of employment. That rule has been abolished, so the full monthly amount is now paid during the leave itself.
How is 6+6 Parental Leave different?
When both parents take parental leave and the child is within 18 months of birth, the first 6 months use higher monthly caps at 100% of ordinary wage (KRW 2.5M for months 1-2, KRW 3M for month 3, KRW 3.5M for month 4, KRW 4M for month 5, KRW 4.5M for month 6). From month 7 onward the standard rule (80%, capped at KRW 1.6 million) applies again.
If a couple each use 12 months (6 months of 6+6 plus 6 more standard months), what's the total?
If ordinary wage is high enough to hit every cap, one parent receives up to KRW 29.6 million (6+6 first 6 months: 2.5+2.5+3+3.5+4+4.5 = KRW 20 million, plus 6 more months at KRW 1.6 million = KRW 9.6 million), so a couple can receive up to KRW 59.2 million combined.
What are the eligibility requirements for 6+6 Parental Leave?
The child must be within 18 months of birth when leave begins, both parents must take parental leave (simultaneously or in sequence), at least one parent must be taking parental leave for the first time since 2024, and the employee must have at least 180 days of employment insurance coverage. Civil servants and private school teachers are excluded and follow separate rules.
This calculator applies only the ordinary-wage-based cap; actual eligibility and the exact payout are determined by the Employment Center's review. Lower-bound minimums and other special cases are not reflected. Figures are as of 2025 and may be revised annually, so check the latest official notice. Civil servants and private school teachers are excluded from the 6+6 Parental Leave scheme.