Job-seeking benefit (unemployment benefit), 2026 rules

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The job-seeking benefit is paid to people covered by employment insurance who leave a job involuntarily and look for new work. These are the 2026 rules.

Who this suits

• People who recently left a job, for example because a contract ended or they were asked to resign
• People about to leave who want to check the conditions first

1. Eligibility

• In the 18 months before leaving (24 months for very short-hour workers), you need at least 180 insured paid days in total. Days worked and paid days such as paid holidays count.
• You must be willing and able to work but without a job, and actively looking for work.
• Reason for leaving: you must have left involuntarily, for example for business reasons. Voluntary quitting, or dismissal for serious fault, is not eligible. However, voluntary leaving can be accepted for valid reasons, such as unpaid wages for a set period, pay below minimum wage, bankruptcy, or suspension or closure of the business.

2. Daily amount (for people who left on or after 1 January 2026)

• 60% of your average wage before leaving
• Maximum: 68,100 won a day
• Minimum: 66,048 won a day (based on 8 scheduled hours a day; it varies with your hours)
• For people who left in 2025: maximum 66,000 won, minimum 64,192 won

3. Duration (benefit days)

| Insured period | Under 50 | 50+ or disabled |
|—|—|—|
| Under 1 year | 120 | 120 |
| 1 to under 3 years | 150 | 180 |
| 3 to under 5 years | 180 | 210 |
| 5 to under 10 years | 210 | 240 |
| 10 years or more | 240 | 270 |

• After 12 months from the day after you leave, nothing more is paid, even if days remain. Apply right after you leave.
• The first 7 days from your unemployment report are a waiting period and are not paid.

4. Steps

1. Register as a job seeker on Work24 (after login).
2. Submit an eligibility application to the job center for your area.
3. While job hunting, apply for unemployment recognition on the days the center sets (every 1 to 4 weeks), in person or online.
4. After it is checked, the benefit is paid.

5. Warning about fraudulent claims

• These count as fraud: not reporting work or income, submitting false job-search activity, giving a false reason for leaving or false wages, or having someone else apply for recognition for you.
• If caught, payments stop, you must repay everything you received, and up to 5 times the fraudulent amount can be collected on top. You can also face up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million won.
• If you worked or earned money during a recognition period, report it on your recognition day.
• If you report it yourself, the extra collection can be waived (via Work24, the national e-petition site, or the local labor office).

Common mistakes

• Applying long after leaving, so you can’t use all your days within 12 months
• Not reporting income from short part-time work
• Missing a recognition day

Checklist

• ☐ 180 or more insured paid days
• ☐ Reason for leaving checked
• ☐ Job seeker registration on Work24 right after leaving
• ☐ Recognition dates noted
• ☐ Any work or income reported right away

For job training support, see our Naeil learning card guide.

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