Busan Office of Education Sets Next Year’s Living Wage at 12,380 Won per Hour

Up 310 Won from This Year
2,060 Won Higher Than the Legal Minimum Wage

The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education (Superintendent Kim Seokjun) has set the living wage hourly rate for education support staff next year at 12,380 won. This is an increase of 310 won from this year’s rate of 12,070 won, and 2,060 won higher than the legal minimum wage for next year (10,320 won).

The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education announced on the 1st that it held a Living Wage Committee meeting on the 26th of last month, during which it reviewed and approved the 2026 living wage plan. This decision applies to education support staff affiliated with the office who work less than 15 hours per week.

The living wage is set at a level higher than the minimum wage to ensure that workers can maintain a dignified standard of living. Since enacting the 'Living Wage Ordinance' in 2020, the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education has calculated the living wage each year, taking into account factors such as inflation and the minimum wage level.

Superintendent Kim Seokjun stated, "For Busan’s education sector to open a path of mutual growth and cooperation with the local community, a stable livelihood for education support staff is an essential foundation. I hope this living wage decision will serve as a stepping stone for the joint growth of the local economy and the educational field."