Working Teens in Korea: Minimum Wage, Legal Protections, and Popular Part-Time Jobs

A café part-timer brewing coffee

Introduction:

Hello, readers.
Today, we’ll take a close look at how teenagers in Korea earn spending money, what kinds of part-time jobs they do, and which laws and systems are in place to protect them. Korea guarantees young people the right to work while also setting rules to ensure that study and safety are not compromised. For international readers, Korea’s part-time job culture and youth labor protections are an insightful topic.

1. Legal Standards for Youth Part-Time Work

1-1. Minimum Age to Work Part-Time

In Korea, teens 15 years and older may hold part-time jobs. However, those under 18 must have parental (legal guardian) consent. In practice, most teen workers are first-year high school students or older.

1-2. Employment Permit (“Chwijik Inheo-jeung”)

Under age 13: Employment is, in principle, prohibited.
As a limited exception, minors may participate in artistic or cultural performances only with an employment permit issued by the Minister of Employment and Labor.
Middle-school students under 18 who wish to work must also obtain this employment permit.
To receive a permit, the minor must submit a parental consent form and proof of age.

1-3. Written Employment Contract

Youth workers, like adults, must sign a written employment contract.
The contract should clearly state:

Wage level and payday,
Working hours and rest breaks,
Workplace and job duties,
Days off and rules on paid leave.

This document is crucial evidence in case of wage arrears or unfair treatment, so teens should review it carefully.

2. Wages and Working Conditions for Youth Workers

2-1. Minimum Wage

As of 2025, Korea’s statutory minimum hourly wage is 10,030 KRW.
In practice, many workplaces pay 12,000–13,000 KRW per hour to attract staff—especially cafés, fast-food restaurants, bakeries, chicken shops, and convenience stores, where many students work.

2-2. Limits on Working Hours

Youth workers may not work more than 7 hours per day or 35 hours per week.
With agreement among the teen, guardian, and employer, limited overtime is allowed: up to 1 extra hour per day and up to 5 extra hours per week.

2-3. Night and Holiday Work Restrictions

Teens may not work between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Holiday work is also restricted. If truly unavoidable, it requires authorization from the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the teen’s consent.

2-4. Prohibited Industries

Teens are barred from working in certain businesses and roles to protect health, safety, and morals. Examples include:

Video rooms, adult-only karaoke, gambling-related businesses,
Lodging and entertainment venues, massage parlors, alcohol-serving establishments,
Prisons, slaughterhouses, diving and high-pressure work, and other hazardous occupations.

These restrictions are designed to safeguard young workers’ well-being and healthy development.

3. Common Part-Time Jobs for Teens

3-1. Cafés and Restaurants

Serving, beverage preparation, and cleaning are typical duties. These roles are popular because the work is relatively straightforward and shifts can be scheduled around school.

3-2. Convenience Stores and Bakeries

Many convenience stores operate 24/7, but teens cannot work night shifts, so they take daytime or early-evening hours.
In bakeries, common tasks include packaging, stocking displays, and assisting with sales.

3-3. Fast-Food Shops and Delivery Support

Teens often assist with food prep, order taking, and store upkeep.
They generally do not perform the delivery itself, but may handle packaging and hand-off.

3-4. University Students: Tutoring and Industry Experience

University students have more options. Private tutoring can pay 30,000 KRW per hour or more, and during vacations many take short-term industrial or office roles to save significant amounts.

4. Protecting Youth Workers’ Rights

4-1. Minimum Wage, Weekly Holiday Pay, and Overtime Premiums

Youth workers are entitled to the same minimum wage, weekly holiday allowances, and overtime premiums as adults.

4-2. Penalties for Violations

If an employer makes a minor under 18 work during prohibited night hours or restricted holidays:
→ Imprisonment of up to 2 years or a fine of up to 20 million KRW.
If an employer hires a minor under 18 for a morally or physically harmful/hazardous occupation:
→ Imprisonment of up to 3 years or a fine of up to 30 million KRW.

5. Features of Korea’s Teen Part-Time Culture

Balancing School and Work: Most students work after school or on weekends.
Experience-Oriented: Many start not just to earn money but to gain social and workplace experience.
Parental Consent: This is both a legal requirement and a way for families to maintain trust and communication.

6. Questions International Readers Often Ask

From what age can teens work in Korea?
What documents are required to start a part-time job?
What is Korea’s minimum hourly wage?
Which jobs are most common among students?
What legal safeguards protect youth labor?

This article provides detailed answers to help readers understand the economic activities and working environment of Korean teens.

Conclusion:

Part-time jobs for Korean teenagers are more than just a way to earn pocket money.
They are a chance to create economic value through one’s own labor, to experience society firsthand, and to build responsibility and independence.
Because teens are still developing, legal protections and safe working conditions must be the foundation for any work experience.

While Korea is known for its competitive academic environment, it also carefully designs laws and systems that allow students to gain work experience after school in a safe, structured way.
Guarantees of minimum wage, limits on working hours, bans on harmful industries, and the requirement for parental consent are not mere regulations—they are safeguards that help young people take their first steps into society safely.

Korean society will continue to move toward helping teens pursue a healthy balance of study, work, and personal growth.
These developments offer meaningful insights not only for Korea but also for youth employment cultures around the world.

What about you?
How do teenagers in your country gain real-world experience?
How does your system differ from Korea’s?

We hope this article serves as a clear window into Korea’s teen part-time job culture and encourages a fresh look at youth employment environments across different countries.

Thank you for taking the time to read today.

This is south Korea (이것이 한국이다)