Requesting an Employment Certificate in Korea: Get the Facts You Need

Requesting an Employment Certificate in Korea: Get the Facts You Need

An employment certificate can help document your work history when applying for another job or completing an administrative procedure. Request it while the employer still has a clear record of your dates, position and duties.

Article 39 of Korea’s Labor Standards Act requires an employer to issue a factual certificate promptly when an eligible employee requests one, including after leaving employment. It also states that the certificate should contain only the particulars requested by the employee. The Enforcement Decree sets eligibility and request-period conditions.

First ask the organization receiving the certificate what it needs. A recruitment team may need dates and duties, while another institution may require a particular form. Do not assume that a standard HR template will satisfy every purpose.

Send a written request identifying:

• Your name and the employment period to be confirmed
• The position and duties you want recorded
• Any other necessary particulars, such as wages
• The receiving institution’s format or verification requirements
• A contact address for delivery

Keep the request and response. When the certificate arrives, compare the dates, name spelling and job description with your records. Ask the employer to correct an error; do not edit an issued document yourself.

A certificate of factual employment is different from a recommendation letter praising performance. An English translation, company seal or particular form may be required by the recipient, but should not be assumed to be a universal statutory requirement.

Read Article 39 of the Labor Standards Act and Article 19 of its Enforcement Decree.

Legal sources checked: October 19, 2026. Confirm statutory coverage and request conditions for your employment circumstances.