Background
Britain introduced unemployment insurance in its National Insurance Act of 1911, and the US followed with state programs under the 1935 Social Security Act. South Korea had no such safety net until Employment Insurance launched in July 1995. When unemployment hit 7% in the 1997–98 financial crisis, coverage expanded to all workplaces with at least one employee. It was later extended to artists (2020) and to special-contract and platform workers (2021). Besides cushioning job loss, benefits act as an automatic stabilizer and give workers time to find better-matched jobs.
Eligibility and amount
You need at least 180 insured days in the 18 months before leaving your job, and the separation must be involuntary: dismissal, a recommended resignation, or the end of a contract. Voluntary quits can qualify for justified reasons, including unpaid wages, workplace harassment, a relocation that makes the commute three or more hours, or illness. Benefits are 60% of your prior average wage. In 2025 the daily maximum is ₩66,000, and the minimum is 80% of the minimum wage. Benefits last 120–270 days, depending on age (under or over 50) and length of coverage.
Applying
Once your employer files a separation notice, register as a job seeker on Work24, complete the online orientation, and apply at your local employment center. All benefits must be paid within 12 months of leaving, so don't delay. You must then show job-search activity every one to four weeks. Hiding work or income counts as fraud, punishable by repayment of up to five times the amount and possible prosecution. You can apply even while contesting an unfair dismissal, and benefits are separate from severance pay.
FAQ
- Can I get benefits if I quit?
- Generally no, unless you had a justified reason such as unpaid wages, harassment, or illness.
- Can I work part-time while receiving benefits?
- Yes, but you must report it, and benefits may be reduced for days worked or income earned.
Sources reviewed: 2026-10-26
References
- 고용보험법 제40조(구직급여의 수급 요건), 제45조, 제46조, 제50조.
- 고용노동부. (2025). 「구직급여 수급 안내」 및 고용24.
- International Labour Organization. (1988). Employment Promotion and Protection against Unemployment Convention (No. 168).