Minimum Wages in South Korea increased to 10030 KRW/Hour in 2025 from 9860 KRW/Hour in 2024. Minimum Wages in South Korea averaged 4122.70 KRW/Hour from 1989 until 2025, reaching an all time high of 10030.00 KRW/Hour in 2025 and a record low of 600.00 KRW/Hour in 1989. source: Minimum Wage Council

Minimum Wages in South Korea is expected to reach 10030.00 KRW/Hour by the end of 2025, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Korea Minimum Hourly Wages is projected to trend around 10200.00 KRW/Hour in 2026 and 10600.00 KRW/Hour in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 28209.00 29046.00 Thousand Dec 2025
Employment Change 0.60 0.80 Percent Dec 2025
Employment Rate 61.50 63.40 percent Dec 2025
Labor Force Participation Rate 65.00 64.60 percent Dec 2025
Minimum Wages 10030.00 9860.00 KRW/Hour Dec 2025
Population 51.75 51.71 Million Dec 2024
Productivity 96.10 101.50 points Sep 2025
Retirement Age Men 60.00 60.00 Years Dec 2025
Retirement Age Women 60.00 60.00 Years Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 1217.00 661.00 Thousand Dec 2025
Unemployment Rate 4.00 2.70 percent Dec 2025
Wages 4531450.00 4293856.00 KRW/Month Sep 2025
Wages in Manufacturing 5045058.00 4689233.00 KRW/Month Sep 2025
Youth Unemployment Rate 6.20 5.50 percent Dec 2025


South Korea Minimum Hourly Wages
In South Korea, minimum wage refers to the lowest gross wage per hour, regardless employment status or nationality. There are some exceptions to this rule: businesses that only employ family members or relatives living in the same residence; domestic service users; seamen who are governed by the seamen act and the ship owners who employ those seamen.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
10030.00 9860.00 10030.00 600.00 1989 - 2025 KRW/Hour Yearly