Paid Leave for Infertility Treatment Extended from 2 to 4 Days... Up to 5 Million Won Fine for Violations

by Son Seonhee

Published 23 Apr.2026 18:36(KST)

Updated 23 Apr.2026 18:37(KST)

The period of paid leave for infertility treatment will be extended from the current 2 days to 4 days.

A view of an infertility clinic in Seoul. Photo by Yongjun Cho jun21@

The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on April 23 that the National Assembly had passed amendments to the Act on Gender Equality in Employment and the Employment Insurance Act, which include these changes.

Employers are required to grant up to 6 days of leave per year to employees who request time off for infertility treatments such as artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization. This applies equally to both men and women. Previously, only the first 2 days of this leave were paid, but with the recent amendment, the first 4 days will now be paid leave. Employers who violate this provision may be fined up to 5 million won.

Additionally, the scope of those subject to penalties for workplace sexual harassment has been clarified. Not only employers but also corporate representatives, as well as supervisors or employees who are relatives of the employer or corporate representative, will be subject to fines if involved in workplace sexual harassment.

The law will come into effect six months after its promulgation. A representative from the Ministry of Employment and Labor stated, "We plan to prepare subordinate regulations and actively promote the revised law to ensure its smooth implementation in the workplace."