South Korean Ministry of Employment & Labor's unemployment assistance: Type I pays 600,000 KRW/mo × 6 mo + dependent bonus (up to 400k/mo) + success bonus (up to 1.5M KRW) to Korean-resident job seekers
| Item | Type I (Allowance) | Type II (Expenses) |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 15–69 yrs | 15–69 yrs |
| Household income | ≤ 60% Korean median (youth: ≤ 120%) | ≤ 100% Korean median (relaxed for specified groups) |
| Household assets | ≤ 400M KRW (youth: ≤ 500M) | More lenient |
| Work experience | ≥ 100 days or 800 hrs in last 2 yrs | Not required |
| Support | 600k KRW/mo × 6 mo + dependent bonus (max 400k) + success bonus (1.5M) | Up to ~1.954M KRW in training & activity expenses |
| Age | 15–69 (youth special: 18–34) |
| Household income | ≤ 60% Korean median (youth requirement-check: up to 120%) |
| Household assets | ≤ 400M KRW (youth requirement-check: ≤ 500M KRW) |
| Work history | ≥ 100 days or 800 hours of work in the last 2 years |
| Selection track (no work history) | Youth 18–34, specified groups, non-economically-active — subject to budget |
| Base monthly allowance (2026) | 600,000 KRW (raised from 500,000) |
| Duration | Up to 6 months |
| Dependent bonus | 100,000 KRW/mo per dependent (max 4 → 400,000/mo) |
| Success bonus | Up to 1,500,000 KRW for early re-employment |
| Absolute maximum | 600k×6 + 400k×6 + 1.5M = 7.5M KRW (if all youth conditions met) |
Verify the latest rules on the Korean government sites below.
| Korean Ministry of Employment hotline | 1350 (weekdays 9am–6pm) |
| Work24 system help desk | 1577-7114 |
| Local employment center | Walk-in counseling by region |
This page is a South Korea–only summary of the Ministry of Employment & Labor and Work24 public guidance as of April 2026. Allowance amounts, durations, and bonuses change per annual government notice and individual screening. The calculator provides an illustrative upper-bound estimate and has no legal effect. Apply and dispute only through Work24 or a Korean employment center.
Korea's National Employment Support Program (국민취업지원제도) is a South Korean unemployment-assistance system run by the Ministry of Employment & Labor for Korean-resident low-income job seekers who do not qualify for ordinary unemployment insurance. Type I pays a Job-Seeking Promotion Allowance of 600,000 KRW/month for up to 6 months, plus 100,000 KRW/mo per dependent (max 4 → 400,000/mo) and a success bonus of up to 1,500,000 KRW for early reemployment, for an upper-bound total of about 7,500,000 KRW. The 2026 base rate was raised from 500,000 KRW to 600,000 KRW. Type II provides training fees and job-seeking activity expenses (≈ 1,954,000 KRW) instead of the monthly cash allowance. Eligibility hinges on age (15–69, or 18–34 for youth special), household income, assets, and recent work history; apply via Work24 online or at a Korean employment center.
No. You must first exhaust your Korean unemployment insurance; if you still meet the criteria, you can join the program afterward.
Type I requires a 3-year cooling-off period before re-entering. Type II can generally be accessed in subsequent years. Confirm specifics with your counselor.
Yes, provided your income stays within the 60% Korean median threshold for your household size. Above the threshold, that month's allowance may pause.
Participants who reemploy quickly (within 3 months) or stay employed for 6–12 months. Up to 1.5M KRW is paid in stages; starting a business also qualifies under separate rules.
Koreans aged 18–34 get relaxed criteria (income ≤ 120% of median, assets ≤ 500M KRW) and can enter via the selection track even without the 2-year work history.
Korean nationals are the default. Some visa holders (F-2 resident, F-5 permanent, F-6 marriage immigrant) may qualify after screening. Confirm at a Korean employment center.
South Korea's 2026 National Employment Support Program, run by the Ministry of Employment & Labor, is the country's unemployment-assistance program for Korean-resident low-income job seekers outside the employment-insurance system. Type I pays 600,000 KRW/month (raised from 500,000 in 2026) for up to 6 months, plus 100,000 KRW/month per dependent (max 4, for 400,000 KRW/mo extra) and up to 1,500,000 KRW in success bonuses for early reemployment, reaching an absolute maximum of about 7,500,000 KRW. Eligibility: age 15–69 (youth 18–34 enjoy relaxed criteria), household income ≤ 60% Korean median (youth ≤ 120%), assets ≤ 400M KRW (youth ≤ 500M), and ≥ 100 days or 800 hours of work in the last 2 years. Type II instead provides training fees and job-seeking expenses up to about 1,954,000 KRW. Apply at Work24 (work24.go.kr) online or at a Korean employment center; monthly allowance requires compliance with the Individual Action Plan (IAP). For inquiries: Korean Ministry of Employment & Labor 1350 or Work24 1577-7114. This program is limited to residents of the Republic of Korea.