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Unpaid Wages: Keep Records, Call 1350, File a Complaint

Last checked: 2026-11-03

This article was translated by AI. If anything differs, the Korean original prevails. Read the Korean original

If you did not get paid for your work, do not suffer alone. If you file a complaint (진정) with the Ministry of Employment and Labor (고용노동부), a labor inspector (근로감독관) investigates the facts. The investigation decides whether wages were unpaid, so collecting records first is important.

Records to collect first

The more material you have, the easier the investigation is. If some material is missing, do not hide it. Say so when you ask for advice.

• Labor contract and pay statements
• Bank records showing your salary deposits
• Proof of enrollment in the four major insurances (4대 보험)
• Records of your working hours (clock-in records, messenger chats, etc.)
• For severance pay problems, your pay statements for the 3 months before you left
• Your boss's name and contact, the company phone number, the address of the place you actually worked, and the number of employees

Remember the deadlines

When you leave a company, in principle the company must pay your wages and severance pay within 14 days. They can delay it if both sides agree.

Your right to receive wages and severance pay can disappear after 3 years. Do not put it off.

How to file a complaint

The standard time to handle a complaint is 25 days, and it can be longer. A complaint (진정) is a request to be paid. A criminal complaint (고소) is a request to punish your boss.

1. Call the Ministry of Employment and Labor Customer Counseling Center (고용노동부 고객상담센터) for advice. They answer on weekdays 09:00~18:00.
2. File online on the Ministry of Employment and Labor's Labor Portal (노동포털), or visit the labor office (고용노동관서) in charge of your workplace.
3. If the labor inspector calls you in, be sure to go. If you do not attend two or more times, your case can be closed.
4. If unpaid wages are confirmed, the inspector orders your boss to pay. If your boss does not comply, it can be sent on as a criminal case.

If you worry about your visa status

The Minister of Justice (법무부 장관) said in a government announcement in December 2025 that foreigners without legal stay also have the right to be paid for the work they did.

Since November 6, 2025, labor inspectors are exempt from the duty to report the illegal stay of foreigners who are wage victims to immigration offices. But this does not make your stay problem go away. Ask the Foreigner Support Center (외국인종합안내센터) separately about stay problems.

Free legal help and money paid on your behalf

• Korea Legal Aid Corporation (대한법률구조공단): If your monthly average wage over the most recent 3 months at the time of non-payment is under 4,000,000 won, foreigners living in Korea can also get free advice and representation in court. The Corporation decides whether to give support.
• Simplified substitute payment of wages (간이대지급금): The state pays part of your wages first. The upper limit is 10,000,000 won for those who left the job and 7,000,000 won for those still employed, and there are conditions. Ask the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service (근로복지공단).
• Wage-arrears guarantee insurance (임금체불 보증보험): If you work on E-9 or H-2 and your company is covered, you can claim up to 4,000,000 won. Ask the Foreign Workforce Counseling Center (외국인력상담센터).

Where to ask

Start your complaint at the Ministry of Employment and Labor Customer Counseling Center or the Labor Portal. If communication is hard, ask the Foreigner Support Center for help.

Official sources

• 고용노동부 노동포털: 임금체불 해결 방법 (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 고용노동부 노동포털: 진정서 안내 (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 찾기쉬운 생활법령정보: 외국인근로자 임금 (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 찾기쉬운 생활법령정보: 지방고용노동관서 진정 또는 고소 (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 찾기쉬운 생활법령정보: 임금체불 해결방법(법률구조) (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 찾기쉬운 생활법령정보: 금품청산 (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 고용노동부 자주하는 질문: 임금 및 퇴직금 소멸시효 (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 대한민국 정책브리핑: 임금체불 피해 외국인 불법체류 통보의무 면제 (Checked: 2026-11-03)
• 고용노동부 보도자료: 임금체불 피해 외국인근로자 보호 강화 (Checked: 2026-11-03)

This is general information. Your situation may differ, so please confirm with the official agency. Report a mistake

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