Three-Generation Household's "3 Million Won Monthly" Job Posting... Why the Outcry Over "Looking for Slaves"?

“Couple's Dinner, Laundry, and Cleaning Included”
Job Posting for Live-in Caregiver at '3 Million Won per Month'
“Are You Hiring a Slave?” Netizens Boil Over

A job posting seeking a live-in helper to care for a 2-month-old baby for 3 million won per month has sparked controversy. The photo is for illustrative purposes only. Pixabay

A job posting seeking a live-in helper to care for a 2-month-old baby for 3 million KRW per month has sparked public attention.

Recently, on the secondhand trading platform Danggeun Market, a post was made looking for someone to care for a 2-month-old baby girl under a live-in condition, working five days a week. According to the job post, the household consists of a couple, their 2-month-old daughter, and grandparents. The work hours are from Sunday 8 PM to Friday 8 PM, with a monthly salary of 3 million KRW. The helper must also work on substitute and temporary holidays, and severance pay and the four major social insurances are not provided separately. Summer vacation is given for 3 days but must align with the couple’s vacation schedule.

A caregiver job posting for move-in assistance posted on Danggeun Market. Online community

The poster, Mr./Ms. A, wrote, “We actively prefer someone who can handle not only overall child care but also adult household chores, including cooking dinner for the couple, laundry for the adults, cleaning the living room, master bedroom, and bathroom, sorting recyclables, and disposing of food waste.” They added, “Although we have a robot vacuum, dishwasher, and washer-dryer, we want a diligent person who can clean directly with a vacuum and mop.” They continued, “Tasks include soothing and holding the baby, assisting with breastfeeding every 2 to 3 hours, feeding formula and supplements, preparing and feeding baby food, changing diapers, sterilizing baby items, washing baby clothes, cleaning the baby’s room, reading books, singing children’s songs, taking walks, and putting the baby to sleep.” They also stated, “You must be able to sleep with the baby at night, and the parents need to be able to check on the baby’s condition while the baby is sleeping.”

Netizens who saw the posting reacted strongly, saying things like, “Even foreigners wouldn’t accept that price,” “They’re trying to hire a live-in babysitter for just 3 million KRW? That’s shady,” “If someone agrees to do it, I’d bring lunch and try to stop them,” “You should pay at least 10 million KRW, no exaggeration,” “There are parents and grandparents, yet they want the helper to do all the adult household chores too. This is too much,” “What is this, hiring a slave?” “The key point is that it’s a 24-hour full-time job,” “They’re lumping a live-in helper and babysitter together for 3 million KRW,” “Would you do it if you were the poster?” and other heated responses.