Weekly Holiday Pay in Korea (Juhyu Sudang) Explained for Part-Timers
How Korea's weekly holiday pay works for part-time and hourly workers, the 15-hour rule, the formula, examples at the 2026 minimum wage and what to do if your employer does not pay it.
Korean labor law gives workers one paid day off a week. For hourly and part-time workers this shows up as weekly holiday pay (주휴수당, juhyu sudang): extra pay on top of the hours you actually worked. Many part-timers, including foreign students and working-holiday makers, are not told about it.
Who gets it
- You are scheduled for 15 hours or more a week in your contract.
- You worked all your scheduled days that week (being late does not cancel it, but missing a whole day does).
- You will continue working the next week. Pay for the final week before you quit may not be due.
It applies at every workplace, including those with fewer than 5 employees.
Formula
Hours above 40 are capped at 40. At the 2026 minimum wage of ₩10,320:
| Hours a week | Holiday hours | Weekly holiday pay |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | 3 | ₩30,960 |
| 20 | 4 | ₩41,280 |
| 30 | 6 | ₩61,920 |
| 40 | 8 | ₩82,560 |
That is about 20% more than your hours alone. Over a month, a 20-hour-a-week job at the minimum wage pays roughly ₩180,000 extra.
"It's included in your hourly wage"
Some employers say weekly holiday pay is already included. That is only valid if the contract clearly says so and the hourly wage without the holiday part is still at least the minimum wage. At ₩10,320 an hour, it cannot be included.
Students and visa holders
Students on D-2 visas need permission to work part-time and have hour limits, but whenever they work legally, the same pay rules apply, including weekly holiday pay and the minimum wage.
Calculate yours with the weekly holiday pay calculator. If you were not paid, you can claim it for up to 3 years through the Ministry of Employment and Labor (1350).
This guide reflects Korean laws and official notices as of 2026-10-08. Rules change, so confirm with the relevant agency before making important decisions.