From 20 August you can take just one week of parental leave — a week's benefit is ₩564,516
From 20 August 2026, a parent of a child aged 8 or under can take one or two weeks of short parental leave once a year. The benefit is the same as the first three months of ordinary parental leave, 100% of ordinary wages with a ₩2.5M monthly cap, prorated by days. A ₩3M salary hits the cap at ₩2.5M, so seven days pays ₩564,516 and two weeks ₩1,129,032. On ₩2M a month, seven days pays ₩451,612.
Conditions used in the video
- Effective
- 20 August 2026
- Child
- aged 8 or under (or second grade or below)
- Length
- once a year · one or two weeks
- Benefit
- 100% of ordinary wages · ₩2.5M monthly cap (first-three-months basis) · prorated
- Application
- school holidays 30 days ahead · urgent reasons up to the same day
- Requirements
- 180 days insured · 7 days or more
Results
- ₩3M a month · 7 days
- ₩564,516 (₩2.5M cap × 7/31)
- ₩3M a month · 2 weeks
- ₩1,129,032
- ₩2M a month · 7 days
- ₩451,612 (below the cap)
- Previously
- 30 days or more for any benefit
- Reference month
- 31 days (a 30-day month gives a different figure)
- Insured
- 180-day requirement unchanged
At a glance
₩3M hits the ₩2.5M cap; ₩2M is prorated as is.
- ₩3M · 7 days₩564,516
- ₩3M · 14 days₩1,129,032
- ₩2M · 7 days₩451,612
Why it works this way
Can you take just one week of parental leave during the school holidays? From 20 August 2026 you can. Short parental leave lets a parent of a child aged 8 or under take one or two weeks once a year; before, only leave of 30 days or more paid any benefit.
Employment Insurance Act Article 70 · the parental leave benefit cap.
- 100% of ordinary wages₩2.5M monthly cap
- ₩3Mcapped at ₩2.5M
- 7 days₩2.5M × 7/31 = ₩564,516
Based on a 31-day month. A 30-day month gives a different figure.
Two weeks pays ₩1,129,032. On ₩2M a month the cap does not bite, so seven days pays ₩451,612. Apply 30 days ahead for school holidays or up to the same day for urgent reasons, and the 180-day insured requirement is unchanged.
Equal Employment Act Article 19(6) to (8) · Enforcement Decree.
- School holidaysapply 30 days ahead
- Urgent reasonsapply up to the same day
- Requirementschild 8 or under · once a year · 180 days insured
The legal basis
Drawn from government announcements and the statutes themselves as primary sources, covering only the relevant part.
Equal Employment Act Article 19(6) to (8) (Short parental leave)
In force Effective 2026-08-20 (checked 2026-09-05)
A worker with a child aged 8 or under, or in second grade or below, may apply once a year for one or two weeks of short parental leave. Timing and procedure by Presidential Decree (30 days ahead for school holidays, same day for urgent reasons).
What this means
Not a one-year decision but a holiday week. Applying 30 days ahead is the door.
Employment Insurance Act Article 70 · Parental leave benefit cap
In force Effective 2026-08-20 (checked 2026-09-05)
Parental leave benefit is paid for leave of 7 days or more. First three months: 100% of ordinary wages, ₩2.5M monthly cap. Prorated by days.
What this means
Seven days is now the threshold for benefit. A ₩3M salary hits the ₩2.5M cap, giving ₩564,516 for seven days.
Run it on your own numbers
The calculator opens with these conditions already filled in. Change the figures and your own case comes straight out.
Open the Parental Leave Benefit
Frequently asked
Does short leave come out of the one-year parental leave?
Yes. Short parental leave counts toward the parental leave period, so you need remaining entitlement to use it.
Why is seven days ₩564,516?
The ₩2.5M monthly cap divided by 31 days and multiplied by seven. In a 30-day month it would be ₩583,333.
Can I take it twice a year?
No. Once a year, for one or two weeks.
Can the employer refuse?
With 30 days' notice for reasons such as school holidays, the employer must allow it. Urgent reasons can be applied for up to the same day. Details follow the Enforcement Decree.
Results are estimates based on the inputs and on the rules as at the stated date. They may differ from a lender's actual assessment, and the rules change often. Take professional advice before any decision that matters.