The 2024 Summer Olympic Games began Friday, July 26. To
celebrate this international event, Littler offices around the
globe will share key changes in labor and employment laws that have
transpired since the last time their countries hosted the Olympic
games.1
Since South Korea hosted the Summer Olympics in 1988, there have
been numerous developments in employment and labor laws in the
country. Here we focus on how some of the important employment law
provisions have evolved over time.
In 1989, the year following the Olympics, the Korean Labor
Standards Act (the "LSA") went through many changes. The
scope of application of the LSA, which had been limited to
businesses with at least 15 employees, was broadened to apply to
all businesses having at least five employees. A new avenue for
disputing unfair dismissal through the labor tribunal procedures
also became available to employees. This route continues to be the
simpler, more cost-efficient option for employees
