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South Korean labor law enforcement and inspection updates

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2026-09-01 02:07 UTC → 2026-09-06 13:54 UTC · added ~~removed~~

South Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor is implementing measures to strengthen labor law enforcement and address wage arrears. In late August, the Ministry announced a plan to enhance the investigative capabilities of labor inspectors. This initiative prepares for the October implementation of a revised Criminal Procedure Act, which will remove the prosecution’s investigative command authority over special judicial police. To ensure independent management of cases involving industrial accidents and unfair labor practices, the Ministry is introducing an ‘Investigative School’ for new inspectors, specialized practical training for existing staff, and a three-tier internal investigative command system. A dedicated training institute is also planned for the second half of next year. Following these structural updates, the Ministry announced an intensive four-week inspection period from September 1 to September 23. Aimed at resolving unpaid wages before the Chuseok holiday, the ministry will inspect 8,000 high-risk workplaces, including the construction sector. The government has signaled a zero-tolerance policy for habitual offenders. To support the resolution of these disputes, the Ministry is promoting a loan system for employers and has expanded the scope and maximum payment of state-paid substitute wages for workers in cases of corporate bankruptcy. Regional efforts have intensified to meet the Chuseok deadline. In Gyeonggi Province, local authorities are conducting intensive consultations from September 14 to 23, utilizing 120 ‘village labor attorneys’ to assist workers with legal complaints and ‘simplified substitute payment’ applications. In Ulsan, the regional Employment and Labor Office is inspecting 132 high-risk workplaces in the manufacturing, construction, and food service sectors to identify hidden arrears. This follows reports that Ulsan recorded 17.8 billion won in unpaid wages between January and July, part of a national total exceeding 1 trillion won during that period.

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