The Minimum Wage Commission convened its first meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, officially initiating the negotiation process to set the national minimum wage for 2027. The session marks the start of a lengthy and likely contentious deliberation period between representatives of labor, business, and public interest groups.
According to official procedures, the commission, composed of nine members from each stakeholder group, must reach a decision by a two-thirds majority. The timeline requires an agreement to be finalized by the end of June, allowing for a new wage to be announced 120 days before it takes effect on January 1, 2027.
The current minimum wage for 2026 is 9,860 won per hour. The negotiations are expected to be heated, with labor groups advocating for a significant increase to improve living standards, while employer organizations emphasize economic pressures and the need for business stability. The outcome will directly impact millions of low-wage workers across the country.
