Busan Gijang County Sets 2025 Living Wage at 11,576 Won

A 2.6% Increase from Last Year's 11,283 Won, 1,546 Won (15.4%) Higher than the Minimum Wage of 10,030 Won

Gijang County in Busan (Governor Jung Jongbok) announced on the 11th that the county recently held a Living Wage Committee meeting and set the 2025 Gijang County living wage at 11,576 won per hour.

This amount is an increase of 293 won (2.6%) compared to the 2024 Gijang County living wage of 11,283 won, and is 1,546 won (15.4%) higher than the 2025 minimum wage of 10,030 won.

The living wage applies to employees of Gijang County or institutions funded or established by Gijang County, as well as employees of organizations or companies commissioned by the county to perform its duties. However, those temporarily employed through national or municipal funding, such as public work or local community projects, or other employees not suitable for the living wage criteria, are excluded.

The county held the Living Wage Committee meeting on September 27 to decide the 2025 living wage and announced the eligible recipients and the determined amount on the county website on October 7. The 2025 living wage will be applied from January 1 next year.

Governor Jung Jongbok stated, "Considering the difficult economic situation due to rising prices, we decided on a higher increase rate for next year's living wage than the minimum wage increase rate," and added, "We hope this will contribute to the livelihood stability and quality of life for local workers."

The Gijang County living wage is paid to enable workers to maintain a minimum humane and cultural standard of living. According to the 'Busan Gijang County Living Wage Ordinance,' the Living Wage Committee determines the following year's living wage annually, and it is applied from January 1 to employees of Gijang County and affiliated institutions.