2,983 Won Higher Than the Minimum Wage... Highest Nationwide
Directly Employed Workers at City and Public Institutions to Benefit
Gwangju City has finalized and announced the "2026 Living Wage" at 13,303 won per hour (2,780,327 won per month, based on 209 working hours) as of September 9.
The city set the hourly wage at 13,303 won, a 2.89% increase from this year’s 12,930 won, following a review by the Living Wage Committee on August 29. This rate is 2,983 won higher per hour than next year’s minimum wage (10,320 won per hour, 2,156,880 won per month) announced by the Ministry of Employment and Labor. On a monthly basis, this is approximately 620,000 won more, making it the highest level nationwide.
The "Living Wage System" was introduced to supplement the limitations of the minimum wage and to guarantee basic living standards such as stability, housing, education, and culture for workers. With this decision, about 900 directly employed workers at Gwangju City, its public enterprises, foundations, and private consignment agencies are expected to benefit. Since introducing the living wage in 2017, the city has maintained the highest standards nationwide, leading to stable livelihoods and improved quality of life for workers.
Lee Gye-du, Director of Labor and Job Policy, stated, "The living wage is not simply a wage increase but the minimum safety net to protect workers’ quality of life. Gwangju City has demonstrated its social responsibility by setting the highest living wage in the country," adding, "We will strive to ensure that more low-wage workers, beyond the public sector, can benefit, making Gwangju a city where labor is respected and everyone can live with peace of mind."
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