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What can I do if my employer doesn't pay my wages?

As of · sources retrieved from official Korean authorities

You can claim overdue wages through the Wage Claim Guarantee Act, request a wage‑claim certificate, have a labor inspector investigate, and if needed file an application for remedy with the Labor Relations Commission within three months of the unpaid‑wage incident; full details below.

The rule this rests on

[3]최저임금법Article 6

Article 6 shall not apply to any of the following persons for whom the employer has obtained authorization from the Minister of Employment and Labor, as prescribed by Presidential Decree: <Amended by Act No.10339, Jun. 4, 2010> | 1. | An employee with a very limited working capacity due to a mental or physical disability; | | 2. | Other employees to whom it is deemed inappropriate to apply the minimum wage. | [This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8964, Mar. 21, 2008] CHAPTER III DETERMINAT

[5]Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment ActArticle 20

Article 20 of the Criminal Act shall apply to justifiable activities which are conducted to achieve the purpose of Article 1 as collective bargaining, industrial action and other activities by trade unions: Provided , That acts of violence or destruction shall not be construed as justifiable for any ground. CHAPTER II TRADE UNION Section 1 Common Provisions | Article 5 (Establishment and Admission of Trade Union) | Workers shall be free to establish a trade union or to join it: Provided , Th

[6]근로기준법Article 1

Article 1 (Enforcement Date) This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation: Provided , That the amended provisions of Article 16 (24) of the Addenda shall take effect on April 12, 2007; the amended provisions of Articles 12, 13, 17, 21, 23 (1), 24 (3), 25 (1), 27 through 33, 37 (1), 38, 43, 45, 64 (3), 77 and 107, subparagraph 1 of Article 110,Articles 111, 112, 114 and 116, and Article 16 (9) of the Addenda shall take effect on July 1, 2007; and the amended provisions of Artic

[7]근로기준법Article 1

Article 1 (Enforcement Date) This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation: Provided , That the amended provisions of Article 16 (24) of the Addenda shall take effect on April 12, 2007; the amended provisions of Articles 12, 13, 17, 21, 23 (1), 24 (3), 25 (1), 27 through 33, 37 (1), 38, 43, 45, 64 (3), 77 and 107, subparagraph 1 of Article 110, Articles 111, 112, 114 and 116, and Article 16 (9) of the Addenda shall take effect on July 1, 2007; and the amended provisions of Arti

[8]최저임금법Article 6

Article 6 shall not apply to any of the following persons for whom the employer has obtained permission from the Minister of Employment and Labor, as prescribed by Presidential Decree: <Amended by Act No.10339, Jun. 4, 2010> | 1. | A worker with a very limited working capacity due to a mental or physical handicap; | | 2. | Other workers to whom it is deemed inappropriate to apply the minimum wage. | [This Article Wholly Amended by Act No. 8964, Mar. 21, 2008] CHAPTER III DETERMINATION OF MIN

[9]고용보험법 시행령Article 75

Article 75 with respect to the procedure for the payment of job-seeking benefits to a claimant for benefits payable. In such cases, the "competent employment security office having jurisdiction over the place of application" shall be construed as "competent employment security office having jurisdiction over the application of application of the deceased eligible recipient", and "eligible recipient" as "claimant for benefits payable". | Article 78 Deleted. <Jun. 30, 2015> | | Article 79 (Proce

  • Your right: Under the Wage Claim Guarantee Act you may obtain a wage‑claim certificate and pursue legal remedies for unpaid wages.
  • When arrears are large: If unpaid wages total 20 million won within one year, the Labor Standards Act’s special provisions apply, allowing the Ministry of Employment and Labor to act directly.

Step‑by‑step actions

  1. Gather evidence – keep pay slips, contract, bank statements showing non‑payment.
  2. Request a wage‑claim certificate – submit the request online or at your regional labor office under the Wage Claim Guarantee Act.
  3. File a complaint with a labor inspector – the inspector can enter the workplace, request accounting records, and issue a corrective order.
  4. Apply for remedy – if the employer still refuses, submit an “application for remedy” to the Labor Relations Commission within three months of the wage‑delay incident.
  5. Commission order – the Commission may issue an order of remedy that the employer must obey; non‑compliance can lead to final enforcement after the statutory review period.
  6. Possible penalties for the employer – fines up to ₩1,000,000 for negligence or up to ₩20 million (and possible imprisonment) for violating the Minimum Wage Act.

Where to go

  • Ministry of Employment and Labor – regional labor office: file the wage‑claim certificate and request inspection.
  • Labor Relations Commission: submit the application for remedy (forms available at the office or online).

Hotlines for immediate help

  • 1350 – Labor Office (wage disputes, inspection requests).
  • 132 – Korea Legal Aid Corporation (free legal advice).
  • 1577‑0071 – Foreign Worker Counseling Center (language assistance).
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Sources fetched 2026-09-19 · Korean laws change — verify with the issuing authority before acting.

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