Maternity Leave in Korea

So there is conflicting information about maternity leave in South Korea.  Surprised? 

Yes, the woman gets 90 days but there is debate on whether the reality is it is partially paid or not.

Some of the information I have found say that working mothers are entitled to 90 days of maternity leave, of which 60 are fully paid. The other 30 days are paid at a percentage of the mother's monthly income. 45 days' leave can be taken before the birth, and the other 45 days after.
Korean Labor Law for Foreign Employers can answer specific questions.  It is very important that you discuss this with your job as soon as the first trimester is over.  Your job may have other ideas about such things.  You will definitely need to negotiate.  Some will see this as a change in contract and depending on how tricky your work is about such things, you may need to do some quick thinking.  Either way, have a few things you are ready to provide or take care of for your job before you engage in discussions.  They will take that into consideration.  They are there for the business, not you.  You are always replaceable. 


Parents of children under the age of three can request a period of full-time or part-time childcare leave of up to one year. A request for leave should be sent to the employer at least 30 days before the start of the period of leave.

I would love to take a year off but honestly with our schedules I don't think I will need to.  We have a pretty flexible schedule and it would be conceivable to be able to tag team one of us at work and one of us not on any given day.  In Korea, child care is frequently seen but it isn't as popular yet as in America.  Most mothers do not work and they have mother in laws or their own mothers helping out at home if they are working. 
Since this won't be the case with us, we will have to look for other options if it becomes necessary.  Having a part time nanny is a distinct possibility.

Maternity leave is similar to paternity leave in that, yes, you are entitled to 90 days maternity leave but you may or may not need to fight for it or somehow compromise with your employer about it being paid.  Yes, it is law, but as a foreigner it will come back to several things.  Are you a jerk at work or nice, do they like you--sometimes you can be super nice and awesome at work and they just don't like you for some reason because you aren't the person before you...or your eyes are blue and not brown...it's just the way it is.

Either way, it is something to discuss with your employer as soon as the first trimester is over so your boss and work can be fully prepared and ready.  Believe it or not, when the birth happens your work may not even remember you are pregnant so make sure you review your work plans periodically throughout your pregnancy.  Your husband should do the same thing at his job (even if you work at the same place).