South Korea is the world’s 13th-largest economy and a leader in high-tech industries, making global expansion into this market highly profitable. However, hiring and managing employees in South Korea comes with a complex maze of rules, payroll systems, and compliance challenges. Many businesses partner with an Employer of Record (EOR) like Atlas HXM to simplify the hurdles associated with global hiring.
As your Employer of Record South Korea service provider, Atlas HXM becomes the legal employer for your international hires. We handle all legal and administrative responsibilities, including payroll, taxes, benefits, and ensuring compliance with local labor laws.
Why South Korea Is a Strategic Market
South Korea has transformed into one of the most industrialized and innovative nations in the world.
South Korea at a glance:
Population: 51.8 million
Capital city: Seoul
Currency: Korean Won (KRW)
Languages: Korean (official), English (widely used in business)
GDP: $1.8 trillion+
Its economy is fueled by industries like:
Electronics and IT
Automotive manufacturing
Shipbuilding
Biotechnology and pharmaceuticals
Finance and global trade
With a population of over 51 million and a highly educated workforce, it's no surprise that many global companies are looking to hire in South Korea. But moving into this market isn't as easy as posting a job ad. Employment laws are detailed and constantly evolving.
Payroll rules, tax rates, and benefits obligations can be overwhelming for companies without a local presence. That's why EOR solutions South Korea offers are becoming the go-to option for organizations that want to expand quickly and compliantly.
Employer of Record Explained
So what is an Employer of Record? An Employer of Record (EOR) is a third party that legally employs workers on your behalf. The EOR manages everything from onboarding and contracts to EOR payroll and compliance with local labor laws.
When you use Atlas HXM's EOR South Korea services, you can:
Hire employees quickly without creating a local entity.
Ensure full compliance with South Korean employment and tax laws.
Provide competitive benefits and employee experiences.
Focus on your business strategy while experts handle HR, payroll, and compliance.
Unlike some Employer of Record companies that depend on third-party entities, Atlas HXM owns its entities in over 160 countries, including South Korea. This direct model reduces risk and ensures you have a single, reliable partner.
Employer of Record South Korea: How It Works
When you choose Atlas HXM as your Employer of Record in South Korea, the process is simple:
You find the talent: Whether you’re hiring engineers, sales teams, or local managers, you recruit the people who fit your business.
Atlas HXM hires them legally: We become the legal employer of record while you manage the day-to-day work.
We handle payroll and compliance: From employment contracts to payroll taxes, we ensure your team is paid on time, accurately, and in accordance with South Korean laws.
Employees get world-class support: Your international hires receive local benefits, support in their language, and access to learning and development resources.
This partnership lets you expand with speed and confidence.
Employment Laws in South Korea: What You Need to Know
South Korea's labor laws are among the most detailed in Asia. Here are key highlights businesses need to understand:
Standard Working Hours
40 hours per week, 8 hours per day.
Up to 12 hours of overtime per week, paid at 150% of normal wages.
Paid Leave and Holidays
11 days of paid annual leave after one year of service.
Increases with tenure, up to 25 days.
Public Holidays in South Korea
New Year’s Day
Lunar New Year (Seollal)
Independence Movement Day (March 1)
Buddha’s Birthday
Children’s Day (May 5)
Memorial Day (June 6)
Liberation Day (August 15)
Chuseok (Harvest Festival)
National Foundation Day (October 3)
Christmas Day
Employees who work on these holidays are entitled to premium pay rates.
Maternity and Paternity Leave
90 days of maternity leave (120 for multiple births).
20 days of paternity leave within 120 days after birth.
The paternity leave can now be split into three separate segments, allowing employees more freedom to choose when and how they take their leave.
Employment Contracts and Probation:
Most contracts are indefinite by default; fixed-term contracts are regulated to prevent misuse; there are rules around renewals and maximum continuous use.
Written contracts are required for all employees, outlining salary, working hours, benefits, and termination rules.
Standard probation is 3 months.
Termination and Severance
Employees must receive 30 days’ written notice or one month’s wages in lieu.
Exceptions: employment less than 3 months, seasonal work, or serious misconduct.
Employees are entitled to severance pay if they have completed at least one year of continuous service.
Severance pay equals one month’s salary per year of service, paid within 2 weeks of termination.
Employee Protections
Strong anti-discrimination laws.
Mandatory workplace safety and harassment prevention training.
Navigating these requirements is complex. With Atlas HXM as your South Korea Employer of Record service provider, you get expert support that makes compliance simple.
Why Choose Atlas HXM Over Other EOR Service Providers?
Not all EOR providers are the same. Here's what makes Atlas HXM stand out:
Direct EOR Model
Atlas HXM owns all its legal entities. Many other EOR companies rely on third parties, which can add risk, cost, and confusion. With us, you deal with one trusted partner.
Global Reach
We support your expansion in 160+ countries worldwide. Our direct presence ensures consistent compliance and easy hiring wherever you grow.
Compliance Expertise
When partnering with Atlas HXM for compliance risk management, your company can reduce legal exposure, stay ahead of regulatory changes, and expand globally with confidence.
We're also certified in ISO 27001, 27017, and 27018. Our data protection and compliance standards meet or exceed global benchmarks.
Employee Experience
We provide localized benefits, support in 50+ languages, and access to thousands of online learning courses. Happy employees mean stronger retention.
Fast Expansion
Onboard employees in South Korea in as little as two weeks. That's speed you won't get from slower, indirect providers.
Visa and Permit Support
Atlas HXM ensures that your employees have the appropriate work authorization, visas, and other documentation to start working wherever you choose.
South Korea doesn't issue “work permits” in the Western sense; instead, employees need the correct visa type.
Common visas include:
E-5 Professional Visa (medical, law, accounting, etc.)
C-4 Short-term Employee Visa (under 90 days)
D-7 Intra-company Transfer Visa
D-8 Startup/Business Visa
Contact Atlas HXM to see how we can simplify global expansion for you!
Key Benefits of Using Atlas HXM in South Korea
Using Atlas HXM's South Korea Employer of Record services means:
Faster Time to Market: Skip months of legal setup. With Atlas HXM, you can hire in South Korea in weeks, not quarters.
Full Compliance: We handle contracts, payroll, taxes, and benefits so you don’t risk fines or lawsuits.
Local Expertise: Our South Korea HR experts know the ins and outs of local labor laws and cultural norms.
Global Payroll Accuracy: Our EOR payroll system has over 99.8% accuracy worldwide.
White-Glove Support: Employees can reach 24-hour live support in their language and time zone.
How Atlas HXM Handles EOR Payroll in South Korea
Payroll in South Korea can get complicated fast. Companies must deal with income tax brackets, pension contributions, health insurance, unemployment insurance, and accident compensation insurance.
Payroll and Tax Contributions Overview
Contribution | Rate / Notes |
|---|---|
Income tax | Progressive 6% – 45% depending on income |
National Pension | 9% of salary (split equally employer/employee) |
Health Insurance | 7.09% premium rate |
Unemployment Insurance | 0.9%–1.8% (split; extra employer % for job security funds) |
Industrial Accident Insurance | Employer only, 0.6%–18.5% depending on industry |
This detailed EOR payroll tax structure is one of the key reasons global businesses turn to Atlas HXM— we simplify calculations and ensure compliance every month.
With Atlas HXM managing your EOR payroll, you don't need to worry about:
Withholding the right taxes.
Making employer contributions.
Filing with government agencies.
Paying employees accurately and on time in Korean Won (KRW).
We simplify payroll with a single platform, providing you with transparency and confidence.
The Employee Experience: Attract and Retain Talent
Hiring great talent is only the first step. Keeping them engaged is the real challenge. Atlas HXM helps you deliver an experience that employees value:
Premium benefits: Health, life, travel insurance, and EAP.
Learning opportunities: 9,000+ courses and certifications.
Mobile apps: Self-service tools for leave, expenses, and documents.
Local support: HR and payroll experts available 24-hour in 50+ languages.
These features make your company stand out among employers in South Korea.
Transparent Pricing: How Atlas HXM Stands Apart
One of the biggest questions global businesses ask is: “How much does it cost to hire internationally?” That's why Atlas HXM created a transparent EOR pricing model that makes it simple to forecast your costs and scale your team.
Atlas HXM Pricing Structure
Flat per-employee monthly rate starting at $599
Volume-based discounts for larger teams
Up to 82% cost savings compared to setting up entities independently
All-inclusive services: payroll, benefits, compliance, HR, and local legal support
With Atlas HXM, what you see is what you pay—no hidden fees, no complicated markups. This is especially important when compared with other EOR service providers like Deel, Remote, Multiplier, or Rippling.
Ready to See the Numbers?
Atlas HXM offers a suite of free tools to help you plan:
Benchmark pay ranges worldwide with our Global Salary Calculator.
Estimate the full cost of hiring internationally with this Employee Cost Calculator.
Use our Compliance Risk Calculator to identify legal and compliance risks before you expand.
Comparing Employer of Record Services South Korea
When evaluating EOR companies, ask these questions:
Do they own their legal entities, or do they outsource to local partners?
What certifications do they have for compliance and data security?
How fast can they onboard employees?
Do they offer employee support in local languages?
Can they scale with you beyond South Korea?
Atlas HXM answers “yes” to all of these, making us one of the leading EOR South Korea service providers worldwide.
When to Use Atlas HXM’s EOR Services in South Korea
Here are common scenarios where EOR solutions in South Korea make sense:
Market testing: Hire a small team to explore business potential.
Project work: Bring on local staff for a temporary project without creating a legal entity.
Global expansion: Quickly build a presence in South Korea while staying focused on strategy.
Talent acquisition: Secure the right talent before your competitors do.
Partner with Atlas HXM To Simplify Global Hiring
Whether expanding your business in Europe, South Korea, or anywhere else in the world, the complexity of employment laws, payroll, and compliance can slow you down. Partnering with Atlas HXM for Employer of Record services South Korea means businesses get speed, international compliance, and peace of mind. With our direct model, global coverage, and world-class employee experience, we're more than an EOR—we're your growth partner.
Ready to expand? Request a demo today and see how Atlas HXM can simplify your global hiring needs.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about EOR services in South Korea.
What is the employer of record in South Korea?
An Employer of Record is a service where a company like Atlas HXM legally employs workers on your behalf. We handle payroll, taxes, benefits, and compliance so you can hire talent quickly without setting up a local entity.
How much does an Employer of Record cost in South Korea?
Atlas HXM's transparent pricing starts at $599 per employee, per month. We also offer volume-based discounts, making our model more cost-effective than setting up your own entity or working with indirect EOR providers.
How fast can I hire employees with Atlas HXM in South Korea?
With Atlas HXM, you can onboard new employees in South Korea in as little as two weeks. Our EOR solutions in South Korea cover everything from contracts to payroll, so your business can start operating without delay.