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2026 Parental Leave Benefit: Eligibility, Payments, and How to Apply

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2026 parental leave benefit eligibility and payments

Korea’s parental leave benefit provides employment-insurance payments to eligible workers who take leave to care for a child. Reforms that removed the deferred post-return payment and raised early-month ceilings have made more of the benefit available during leave.

What Is the Parental Leave Benefit?

The benefit is paid through Employment Insurance to a worker taking parental leave for a child aged eight or younger, or in the second grade of elementary school or below. It is not ordinary wages paid by the employer.

No Deferred Post-Return Payment

Under the former system, part of the benefit was withheld until the employee returned to work and remained employed for a specified period. That deferred-payment structure was abolished beginning in 2025, allowing the monthly benefit to be paid during leave under the current rules.

How Much Can You Receive?

The benefit is calculated from ordinary wages, subject to monthly ceilings that vary by the stage of leave.

  • Months 1–3: Generally 80% of ordinary wages, subject to a ceiling of up to KRW 2.5 million per month under the reformed schedule
  • Later months: The percentage and ceiling adjust in stages according to the current payment schedule

When both parents take leave for the same child, the 6+6 parental leave arrangement may provide enhanced early-month payments. Both parents must use qualifying parental leave, and the exact amounts depend on their ordinary wages and timing.

Eligibility

  1. Child’s age: Age eight or younger, or second grade of elementary school or below
  2. Employment Insurance history: Generally at least 180 insured days before parental leave begins. Eligible periods from previous jobs may count.

Workers in nonstandard forms of employment should confirm whether their employment-insurance coverage provides parental leave benefits. Check through Work24, the Korea Workers’ Compensation & Welfare Service, or the employment center.

Length and Division of Leave

  • Generally up to one year per parent for each child
  • Potential extension to one year and six months when the conditions for shared parental leave or another qualifying circumstance are met
  • Leave can generally be divided into permitted segments; different rules can apply to leave used during pregnancy

How to Apply

  1. Notify the employer before the planned start date, commonly at least 30 days in advance.
  2. After leave begins, apply for the benefit online through Work24 or through the applicable employment center process.
  3. The first monthly benefit is generally requested after one month of leave.
  4. Do not miss the statutory claim deadline. Delayed claims beyond the permitted period may be denied.
  5. In Work24, open the maternity and parental leave section and select the parental leave benefit application.

Check Local Additional Support

Some local governments operate separate incentives for residents taking parental leave. Amounts, duration, residence conditions, and employer requirements vary, so check the city, county, district, or local community service center.

Practical Tips

  • If both parents plan to take leave, coordinate timing after reviewing the 6+6 benefit rules.
  • Confirm total Employment Insurance coverage, including eligible periods from earlier employers.
  • Ask the employer to submit required confirmation information promptly.
  • Check current monthly ceilings and the claim deadline through Work24 before leave begins.
  • Review any local-government parental leave incentive in addition to the national benefit.

This article provides general information. Payment amounts, eligibility, and leave rules may change and depend on individual employment history. Confirm current terms through Work24, the responsible employment center, or the Korea Workers’ Compensation & Welfare Service.

2026 National Employment Support System: Type I vs. Type II

작성자:
2026 National Employment Support System Type I and Type II guide

The National Employment Support System is a system that must be checked by job seekers, freelancers, career-interrupted women, and unemployed young people who do not receive unemployment benefits.As the job search promotion allowance was increased in 2026, the gap between types 1 and 2 support widened.

Let’s figure out which type is right for you.

What is the National Employment Support System?

The National Employment Support System is a policy where the government provides living expenses and employment support services to job seekers who are in the blind spot of employment insurance.It supports a wide range of targets, including young people, freelancers, self-employed people, and women with career breaks who cannot receive unemployment benefits, and is divided into Type 1 or Type 2 depending on income level and employment experience.

Type 1 vs Type 2, key differences

To summarize in one line, **”Type 1 is cash-centered, and Type 2 is service/activity cost-centered”**.If you are in urgent need of living expenses right away, it is best to consider type 1 first, and if you need a job change or training, it is best to consider type 2 first.

Type 1 — Job Search Promotion Allowance (focused on cash support)As of 2026, 600,000 won per month will be paid for up to 6 months (increased from the existing 500,000 won per month)A total of 3.6 million won can be received in 6 monthsIf you have dependents, an additional payment of 100,000 won per person per month is provided to up to 4 people (maximum 400,000 won per month).

Young people aged 18 to 34 can participate in Type 1 as a youth special exception even without employment experience as long as they meet the asset criteria (500 million won or less).However, the conditions are more stringent than Type 2, so you must carefully check the standards for income, assets, and employment experience.

Type 2 — Focus on participation in employment activity plans

There is no job search promotion allowance paid in a flat amount every month.Establishment of an Employment Activity Plan (IAP) Participation allowance of up to KRW 250,000 and participation incentive allowance of up to KRW 100,000 are paid.

The training participation support allowance will be abolished from 2026, so training costs will be supported through the Tomorrow Learning Card, but no separate training allowance will be paid.Instead, income and property standards have been relaxed, making it relatively easy for young people and general job seekers to participate.

Provides a wide range of job training, employment counseling, interview coaching, and employment-linked services.⚠️ Point of change in 2026: Type 1 allowance was increased while type 2 training allowance was abolished, making the gap between the two types of cash support wider than before.It is advantageous to first check whether you qualify for Type 1 qualifications.

Common Benefits – Employment Success Allowance

If you successfully find a job after participating in either type, you can receive an employment success allowance of up to 1.5 million won.

500,000 won for 6 months of employmentAfter another 6 months of service (total of 12 months), 1 million wonHowever, this allowance is paid only if separate requirements are met, such as earning less than 60% of the median income.

How to apply

Register your resume at **Worknet (work.go.kr)** and complete the job application.Apply through the ‘National Employment Support System Application’ menu on the Employment 24 (work24.go.kr) website or app.

After submitting the application, the competent employment center will notify you of whether you are eligible for benefits (Type 1/Type 2) within approximately one month.If you visit an employment center and establish an employment activity plan (IAP) with a counselor, your allowance will be paid to your designated account every month starting from the following month.

If you have difficulty visiting, you can apply online, but consultation at the employment center is required during the eligibility screening and IAP establishment stages.

Frequently confused part

If I work part-time, can I not receive job search promotion allowance?Part-time work itself does not prevent benefits, but benefits may be reduced or suspended depending on working hours and income.

It is safe to check with your counselor before work.Can college students participate?

Students on deferred graduation and students currently in their final semester can participate, but documents such as proof of enrollment and transcript may be required.If I participate once, can I never get it again?

In principle, you can reapply after 3 years from the end date of employment support.How is Type 1 employment experience recognized?

Only work with a history of signing up for the four major insurance policies is recognized, and part-time work for cash or unpaid work at a family business is not recognized.Can I receive unemployment benefits in conjunction with unemployment benefits?

While receiving unemployment benefits, you cannot receive National Employment Support System benefits at the same time.

Finishing Tips

If you are a young person between the ages of 18 and 34 and have no employment experience, check out the ‘Youth Special’ type 1 qualification first.If the conditions are right, you may be able to receive much more favorable cash assistance.

If you falsely report your income or assets or hide your employment, you may be subject to a 5-year ban on re-participation and criminal punishment as well as a refund of your support funds, so you must report them accurately.If you are uncertain about the type, we recommend that you first contact the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s Customer Service Center (1350 without area code) before applying.

This article has been written for general information purposes.The exact eligibility requirements and support amount may vary depending on individual circumstances, so please be sure to check with Work24 (work24.go.kr), your local employment center, or the Ministry of Employment and Labor Customer Service Center (1350) before applying.