Taxation and the 4 major insurances in Korea

ESL Education (1/1) | Derek
Published Jan 20, 2022

ESL Education (1/1)

Taxation and the 4 major insurances in Korea


Income Tax
Like any other country, taxes are generated if you have a source of income in Korea. Taxation may however differ depending on mutual government agreements.
 

Taxation eligibility

Country Public school Hagwon
United States Exemption for 2 years Taxed
Canada Taxed Taxed
United Kingdom Exemption for 2 years Taxed
Ireland Taxed Taxed
Australia Exemption for 2 years Taxed
New Zealand Exemption for 2 years Taxed
South Africa Exemption for 2 years Taxed


The 4 major insurances.

  • National Health Insurance: In Korea, employers must provide health and medical insurance. Health and medical insurance may cover medical, dental, or accidental coverage or a combination of the three. If health and medical insurance are covered, the employer may pay for all of it or the employer may pay half. Be sure to ask the employer if the insurance covers international hospitals as well as local hospitals. This is a mandatory subscription.  
  • Employment Insurance: It is a national insurance system implemented for protecting workers’ rights and interests.
  • National Pension Scheme: This insurance is created to prepare for the time one is not able to work. (pension after retirement).  It is also determined by mutual government agreements. Several countries require employers to pay into a pension, or retirement plan. In most cases, the employer pays half and the teacher pays the other half. Depending on a teacher’s citizenship and the agreement with the teacher’s home country, the pension can be claimed at the completion of the 1-year contract.
  • Industrial Accident Insurance: Compensates the employees for any occupational accident.  This insurance option that provides both employees and their employers a certain level of financial protection in case of an injury incurred on the job.
4 major insurances
Insurance Employee Employer
National pension 4.5% 4.5%
National Health insurance 3.545% 3.545%
Employment insurance 0.9% 0.9%
Industrial accident insuranc N/A Matched by employer

 

Eligibility on national pension
 Country  Membership Subscription  Refundable Payment
United States Yes Lump-sum return
Canada Yes Lump-sum return
United Kingdom Yes Non-refundable
Ireland Yes Non-refundable/added to native country pension
Australia Yes Lump-sum return
New Zealand Yes Non-refundable
South Africa No N/A

 

 

 

Share

Derek

Embark Recruiting - ESL Korean Recruiting Agency - Top Jobs in Korea

Derek

I am an American living in Korea and offer my skills and abilities to match the perfect teacher and schools. I am pleased to be the main recruiting partner with The WorknPlay. Teaching in Korea has changed my life for the better. I’m excited for the opportunity to help that come true for others. For almost the last decade, I have spent time in many different teaching situations in Korea. Those experiences put me in the unique position to help others find the situations best suited for them. I have worked in large and small cities all over Korea and can efficiently help you find a position that best suits your lifestyle and goals. Using my experience and knowledge of the Korean educational system I can help form a strong link between teachers and employers. There are many great opportunities for everyone in Korea, and it’s my goal to make sure I can help fulfill as many of those as possible.