Korea annual leave under one year: monthly accrual and the 11-day baseline
See when first-year Korean annual leave accrues and why it is not granted all at once.
A new employee does not automatically receive all 11 first-year days on the hire date. The statutory baseline is one day after each fully attended month while continuous service is below one year, so the reference date and actual attendance matter.
One day after a fully attended month
Each completed month with full attendance generally creates one day. Calendar months alone do not establish attendance.
Up to 11 days in the first-year pattern
The monthly-accrual pattern below one year generally produces no more than 11 days.
Separate assessment after completing one year
The 15-day entitlement is assessed separately when the first year and attendance conditions are met and the employment relationship continues as required.
Scope and favourable policies
Workplaces below five regular employees or workers below 15 average scheduled weekly hours may fall outside the statutory baseline, while company policies can be more favourable.
Assume a January 10, 2026 hire and full attendance each month. The first day generally arises around February 10. By August 10, seven monthly periods have elapsed, but actual accrual still depends on attendance and any qualifying absence.
What to check
- Enter the hire date and the date being checked.
- Verify full attendance for each monthly period.
- Confirm scheduled weekly hours and workplace size.
- Separate accrued days, used days and the current remaining balance.
Accrued days are not the same as days remaining. UCALX does not automatically subtract used leave or decide expiry, leave-promotion procedures or an employer’s advance-grant system.
Official sources checked
Standards can change. These links are provided so you can verify the current primary source.
Korea Annual Leave Calculator
Apply the baseline above with your own dates and figures.