SOUTH KOREA PEO & EOR
Hire in South Korea without a local entity today
As a Global PEO & EOR service provider, we pride ourselves on our global reach, in-country knowledge, and ability to swiftly and efficiently mobilize workers around the world. Our robust PEO/EOR covers everything from global HR, payroll, compliance, in-country support, immigration, visas, and more.
Get started and hire in South Korea today with Procorre Global.
DID YOU KNOW
- New-born babies in South Korea are one year old at birth! South Koreans also turn a year older on January 1st each year. In South Korean society, birthdays and age aren’t linked like they are in Western nations.
- Alongside its many exports, South Korea’s popular culture is also making a significant impact around the world. K-Pop music and television productions (such as the hit series Squid Game) are continuously receiving international acclaim.
- South Korea consumes more alcohol than any other country in Asia! In South Korea, it is common to celebrate most holidays with a drink.
Forget software,
this is expansion
with a human touch
South Korea PEO Services
Booming manufacturing and service industries
One of the strongest economies in East Asia, South Korea is revered for its booming manufacturing and service industries. South Korea is a mountainous nation which hosts a wealth of beautiful landscapes for people to explore. The country is also known for its global exports in automotive, ships, computers, production, and electronics.
Seoul, the country’s capital, is a densely populated city which serves as a major industrial hub in East Asia. South Korea is also the home of some of the world’s most notable multinational businesses including Samsung, Hyundai, Kia, LG Electronics, and more.
South Korea presents many opportunities for foreign investors, businesses, and expatriates who wish to enter this market. Partnering with a South Korea PEO partner like Procorre Global can simplify this process and get you established in the South Korean market quickly without a local entity in-country.
Working in South Korea
Employment Information
With a GDP of $1.631 trillion, South Korea is one of the largest economies in Asia and experiences consistent growth each year, mostly because of its foreign exports. South Korea has a mixed economy, combining free-market capitalism with centralised government regulation. This nation is also a part of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA).
The average working hours for South Korean workers was 163.6 per month in 2020 and the country has the second-longest working hours in the OECD. South Korea’s average working hours have decreased following the South Korean Labour Standards Act (introduced in 2018) which restricted an employee’s maximum working hours from 68 to 52 per week.
Businesses who are hiring staff in South Korea must observe a variety of payroll compliance regulations. This includes monthly withholding obligations and employee benefits for workers.
Payment of salaries usually take place on the last working day of the month in South Korea.
Leaves and Public Holidays
Employees in South Korea will accumulate 15 days of paid annual leave after their first year of continuous service for the same employer. For each two years of service after this, employees will earn an additional day of paid leave.
South Korea also observes a variety of public holidays where employees are not permitted to work, these include:
- New Year’s Day
- Seotdal Geumeum
- Independence Movement Day
- March 1st Movement Day
- Children’s Day
- Buddha’s Birthday
- Memorial Day
- National Liberation Day of Korea
- Chuseok
- National Foundation Day
- Hangul Day
- Christmas Day
Taxation
South Korea’s income tax applies to an employee’s wage and salary. The income tax is progressive and ranges from 6% to 45%, depending on the amount of earnings.
Non-residents working in South Korea are generally subject to the same income tax requirements as residents, however foreign workers have the alternative option to apply a flat-rate tax of 19% to their total Korean-sourced income.
Cultural Information
South Korean cultural is significantly influenced by Chinese and Japanese customs, as recognised in many of the country’s traditions have roots in Confucianism. Respect for elders and family is a large part of South Korean culture. Additionally, South Korea has close ties with the United States, and embraces many western cultural practices as a result.
South Korea has a diverse religious population. Many South Koreans don’t identify with any religion; however, Christianity and Buddhism are the primary groups outside of this.
South Korea’s official language is Korean, and the nation hosts a population of around 52 million.
Impacts from COVID-19
Like other nations across the world, the South Korean economy was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The South Korean Government implemented a range of restrictions to help curb the spread of the virus including social distancing and mask-wearing. South Korea didn’t impose a general lockdown of businesses in South Korea, and many retailers stayed open.
South Korea’s approach to dealing with the pandemic was effective in both preventing the impact on public health while preserving its economy. OECD projections in 2020 observed that South Korea’s economy only received a 1% contraction as a result of the pandemic in 2020, contrasting significantly with the economies of Europe and the United States.