Parental Leave Benefits in Korea: How to Apply and Key Deadlines (2026 Guide)

What You Must Know Before Applying for Parental Leave Benefits

Using parental leave does not mean benefits are paid automatically. You must apply separately, and missing the deadline can mean receiving nothing at all. Below is a full summary of the application procedure and key points to watch, based on 2026 standards.

Note for foreign workers: Your employment contract may set terms different from the statutory minimum, but the statutory requirements described here — including the 12-month application deadline — apply regardless of what your contract says.

What Are Parental Leave Benefits?

Parental leave benefits (육아휴직급여) are paid under Article 70 of the Employment Insurance Act (고용보험법 제70조) to workers who take parental leave (육아휴직) to care for a child aged 8 or under (or in the second grade of elementary school or below). To be eligible, you must have accumulated at least 180 days of insured employment under employment insurance (Article 70(1) of the Employment Insurance Act).

The benefit amount is calculated based on ordinary wages (통상임금), and the upper and lower limits are adjusted each year by Ministry of Employment and Labor notice. Check the latest figures on the Employment Insurance website (ei.go.kr).

The Application Deadline: Do Not Miss It

This is the single most important point. You must apply within 12 months from the day after your parental leave ends (Article 70(2) of the Employment Insurance Act).

The Supreme Court has ruled that this 12-month deadline is a mandatory provision (강행규정) (case no. 2018두47264, decided 18 March 2021). In other words, once the deadline has passed, you are in principle unable to receive benefits. Five dissenting justices expressed the view that the provision should be treated as a directory rule (훈시규정), but current court practice follows the mandatory-provision interpretation.

Even if your employer approved the leave, any period that falls outside the statutory requirements is not eligible for benefits.

How to Apply (Step by Step)

1. Submit your application via the Employment Insurance website (ei.go.kr) or in person at your local Employment Center (고용센터).
2. Required documents: Parental leave benefit application form; parental leave confirmation letter (issued by your employer); documents confirming ordinary wages.
3. You may apply monthly during the leave period or in a lump sum after the leave ends — both options are available.
4. The competent Employment Center reviews your application and issues a payment decision.

Split Use of Parental Leave Is Recognised

You do not have to use parental leave all at once. Check the Enforcement Decree of the Employment Insurance Act for the permitted number of splits and the applicable conditions.

Check the Scope of Your Ordinary Wages Carefully

The Supreme Court ruled that bonuses paid on a regular and uniform basis constitute ordinary wages and must be reflected in the calculation basis for parental leave benefits (case nos. 2015두48976 and 2015두49481, both decided in 2021). By contrast, items that are difficult to regard as direct compensation for work — such as points on a customised welfare card — are excluded from ordinary wages. If your benefits seem lower than expected, review which items were included in your ordinary wages.

Check Your Eligibility Easily at Workbear

If you are unsure whether you qualify for parental leave benefits, try the unemployment and benefit eligibility checker at Workbear (workbear.kr). You can quickly verify employment insurance benefit requirements, and the AI search feature lets you get instant answers to questions about parental leave.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific cases, consult a certified labor attorney (노무사) or lawyer.