Hwaseong City in Gyeonggi Province recently held a Living Wage Committee meeting and announced on September 3 that it has set the living wage for 2026 at 12,090 won.
The living wage is calculated by taking into account essential living expenses such as housing, education, and cultural costs. It applies to workers employed by the city and those working at city-funded or city-invested institutions.
The living wage for Hwaseong City next year is a 3.1% increase from this year's 11,730 won, amounting to 2,526,810 won per month based on 209 working hours. This is about 17% higher than next year's minimum wage.
The city expects that this increase in the living wage will not only improve the quality of life for workers but also contribute to a virtuous cycle in the local economy.
Jung Myunggeun, Mayor of Hwaseong, stated, "We will create a living environment that all citizens can feel in line with our status as a special city," adding, "I hope the living wage system will become firmly established and help spread a culture of respect for labor."
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