When you take parental leave in Korea, you receive parental leave benefit instead of salary. Since 2025 it's much higher — the cap is now up to ₩2.5M/month, and the old deferred payment (paid after returning to work) has been abolished, so you get the full amount every month. Enter your ordinary wage and duration below to see the total. You can also toggle the 6+6 dual-parent scheme, which pays more when both parents take leave.
2026 basis · 100% of ordinary wage (months 1–6), 80% (month 7+), caps ₩2.5M/2.0M/1.6M, floor ₩700k, deferred payment abolished. 6+6: each parent 100% for the first 6 months (cap ₩2.5M–4.5M). This is an estimate; the actual amount depends on the employment center's review.
What changed in 2025
It used to be 80% of ordinary wage (₩1.5M cap), and 25% of that was withheld until 6 months after returning to work. The 2025 reform raised the caps, added 100% tiers, and abolished the deferred payment.
| Period | Rate | Monthly cap |
|---|---|---|
| Months 1–3 | 100% of ordinary wage | ₩2.5M |
| Months 4–6 | 100% | ₩2.0M |
| Month 7+ | 80% | ₩1.6M |
The monthly floor is ₩700,000, and you now receive the full amount each month. Details in our 2026 parental leave guide.
Both parents = the "6+6" bonus
If both parents take leave for a child under 18 months, each gets 100% for the first 6 months, with rising caps. Select "6+6" in the calculator to apply it.
| Month | Cap (per parent) |
|---|---|
| Months 1–2 | ₩2.5M |
| Month 3 | ₩3.0M |
| Month 4 | ₩3.5M |
| Month 5 | ₩4.0M |
| Month 6 | ₩4.5M |
See the 6+6 guide for how to use it.
Example: ₩3M ordinary wage, 12 months
Say your ordinary wage is ₩3M and you take 12 months. ① Months 1–3: 100% but capped at ₩2.5M → ₩7.5M. ② Months 4–6: capped at ₩2.0M → ₩6.0M. ③ Months 7–12: 80% is ₩2.4M but capped at ₩1.6M → ₩9.6M. ④ Total ≈ ₩23.1M. If your spouse also takes leave (6+6), the first-6-month caps rise and the total grows.
Before you apply — checklist
- ☐ Know your monthly ordinary wage (base pay + fixed allowances)
- ☐ Meet eligibility (180+ days of employment insurance coverage, etc.)
- ☐ If your spouse can take leave too, compare 6+6
- ☐ Parental leave vs reduced working hours — which suits you
- ☐ Apply via the employment center (Employment 24) after leave starts
Note. The calculator applies the cap when 100% exceeds it — so above ₩2.5M ordinary wage, months 1–3 are computed at ₩2.5M. Civil servants and private-school pension members follow separate rules; check with your institution.
FAQ
Q. What is "ordinary wage"? Is it take-home pay?
Ordinary wage is your regular, uniform base pay plus fixed allowances — not take-home pay or gross salary. Confirm the exact figure with your payroll department.
Q. What does "deferred payment abolished" mean?
Previously 25% of the benefit was withheld and paid only after 6+ months back at work. Since 2025 that's gone — you receive the full amount monthly during leave.
Q. Must both parents take leave at the same time for 6+6?
No. As long as both parents take leave for a child under 18 months, each parent's first 6 months qualify — sequential or overlapping both work.
Q. How long can parental leave be?
The base is 1 year per parent per child. With the 2025–2026 expansion, meeting conditions (e.g., both parents using 3+ months) extends it to 1 year 6 months each.
The 2025 reform made parental leave benefit far better: a ₩2.5M cap, 100% tiers, no deferred payment — plus 6+6 when both parents take leave. Just enter your ordinary wage to see the total.
This calculator is an estimate based on the 2026 rules; the actual amount and eligibility depend on the employment center's review. Confirm with the Ministry of Employment and Labor (1350) or Employment 24. General information only. For infant health, see our baby fever guide.
