LINKRIGHTS

I worked but was not paid

You must be paid for the work you did. This is true even if you are young, not a Korean citizen, or never signed a contract.

Source
Ministry of Employment and Labor See sources
Last reviewed
6 September 2026

Is this your situation?

  • Payday has passed but no money has arrived.
  • My boss keeps saying "next month" and never pays.
  • I quit and never received my last pay.
  • I was told "you did not sign a contract, so I cannot pay you".

Rights you should know

  • You must be paid for work you did

    An employer must pay wages on the agreed date. Not paying is against the law.

  • You can claim pay even without a written contract

    If you can show that you actually worked, you can claim your wages. Shift photos, messages and bank records all count as evidence.

  • Protection does not depend on your nationality

    Anyone who works in Korea is protected regarding wages, regardless of nationality.

  • You can still claim after you have left the job

    Unpaid wages can be claimed for a limited period after you stop working, so get advice early.

Try this

  1. 1.

    Collect evidence first

    Write down the dates and hours you worked. Save text messages, shift schedules and bank statements. Take screenshots and keep them somewhere safe.

  2. 2.

    Call 1350 for advice

    The Ministry of Employment and Labor helpline (1350) will explain what to do. If Korean is difficult, ask for an interpreter or call the Danuri Call Center (1577-1366).

  3. 3.

    File a complaint with the labour office

    You can file online at labor.moel.go.kr or at the local labour office where the workplace is. You can do this yourself even if you are under 18.

  4. 4.

    Get help if it feels too hard alone

    Korea Legal Aid Corporation (132) gives free legal advice, and the Youth Helpline (1388) can support you through the process.

Please note

For an exact decision about amounts or procedures, check with the Ministry of Employment and Labor or a legal advice service.

Checklists to use with this information

You might also want to know

Where to get help

  • Ministry of Employment and Labor Helpline 1350

    Area: NationwideWork & wages

    How they can help

    Advice on unpaid wages, employment contracts and how to file a wage complaint.

    Languages
    Korean · English · Chinese · Vietnamese · other languages
    Opening hours
    Weekdays 09:00-18:00
    1350 Website

    moel.go.kr

    What to say once the call connects
    • “Hello. I'm calling because I'd like some advice about something.”
    • “Can I get advice in English, Chinese, Vietnamese?”
    • “Can young people get advice here too?”
    • “Is there anything I can do? What should I prepare?”

    These are examples only. Please follow the organisation's own instructions.

    Last reviewed 6 September 2026

  • Korea Legal Aid Corporation 132

    Area: NationwideLegal

    How they can help

    Free legal advice from a public body, with free litigation support if you meet the criteria.

    Languages
    Korean
    Opening hours
    Weekdays 09:00-18:00
    132 Website

    klac.or.kr

    What to say once the call connects
    • “Hello. I'm calling because I'd like some advice about something.”
    • “My Korean isn't very good. Can I still get advice?”
    • “Can young people get advice here too?”
    • “Is there anything I can do? What should I prepare?”

    These are examples only. Please follow the organisation's own instructions.

    Last reviewed 6 September 2026

  • Danuri Call Center 1577-1366

    Emergency line

    Area: NationwideFamilyViolence & safety

    How they can help

    A 24-hour multilingual call center for migrants, covering daily-life questions and violence support.

    Languages
    Korean · English · Chinese · Vietnamese · other languages
    Opening hours
    24 hours
    1577-1366 Website

    liveinkorea.kr

    What to say once the call connects
    • “Hello. I'm calling because I'd like some advice about something.”
    • “Can I get advice in English, Chinese, Vietnamese?”
    • “Can young people get advice here too?”
    • “Is there anything I can do? What should I prepare?”

    These are examples only. Please follow the organisation's own instructions.

    Last reviewed 6 September 2026

  • Youth Helpline 1388

    Emergency line

    Area: NationwideMental healthViolence & safety

    How they can help

    A helpline for young people aged 9-24 about any worry: home, violence, school, or the future. Your call is confidential.

    Languages
    Korean
    Opening hours
    24 hours
    1388 Website

    kyci.or.kr

    What to say once the call connects
    • “Hello. I'm calling because I'd like some advice about something.”
    • “My Korean isn't very good. Can I still get advice?”
    • “Is there anything I can do? What should I prepare?”

    These are examples only. Please follow the organisation's own instructions.

    Last reviewed 24 September 2026

Choose your area
What to say once the call connects

If you are not sure how to start the call, use these sentences as a guide. They are only examples and do not replace advice from the organisation.

  1. 1. “Hello. I'm calling because I'd like some advice about Work & Part-time Jobs.”
  2. 2. “This is what happened. (Briefly say when, where and what happened.)”
  3. 3. “Is there anything I can do? What should I prepare?”

Tips for the call

  • If Korean is hard for you, ask: "Can I get advice in another language?"
  • Keep dates, places and things like text messages or contracts next to you so it is easier to explain.
  • You only need to give your name or contact details if the counsellor asks for them.

Follow the organisation's own guidance on how advice works. If you are in danger now, call 112 (police) or 119 (ambulance) straight away.

Sources for this page

Official sources (organisation websites, open in a new window)

Last reviewed 6 September 2026

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