Next Year's Seoul Living Wage Set 1,800 Won Above Minimum Wage... Monthly Salary at 2.53 Million Won

Seoul Sets Final Living Wage for 2026
Comprehensive Review of Inflation and City Finances
Applies Only to Public Sector, Unlike Minimum Wage

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has decided to set next year's living wage at 12,121 won per hour. Unlike the statutory minimum wage, which is set by law, the living wage is based on the minimum cost of living, taking into account inflation and family living expenses. This amount is about 1,800 won higher than next year's minimum wage of 10,320 won.

On September 18, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that the Seoul Living Wage Committee, which consists of representatives from labor organizations and experts, has finalized next year's living wage after comprehensively considering factors such as household consumption expenditure, inflation rates, and the city's financial conditions.

On the 18th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government decided to set next year's living wage at 12,121 won per hour, comprehensively considering the inflation rate and the city's financial conditions.

Next year's living wage has been increased by 2.9% (342 won) compared to this year's living wage of 11,779 won. When converted to a monthly salary, this amounts to 2,533,289 won based on a 40-hour workweek and 209 working hours per month.

Unlike the minimum wage, which applies equally to all workers, the living wage is applied only in the public sector or in private sectors that have adopted the living wage system. As a result, starting January 1 next year and for one year, a total of about 14,000 people-including directly employed workers at the Seoul Metropolitan Government and its investment-funded institutions, workers at subsidiaries of Seoul's investment agencies, workers at private consignment agencies (100% funded by the city), and participants in the Attractive Jobs program-will be subject to this living wage.

A Seoul Metropolitan Government official stated, "Through the operation of the living wage system, we will continue to uphold the city’s value of 'walking together with the vulnerable' by improving the quality of life for workers."