Why Teachers in Korea Can’t Take Sick Days

       

 

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Why Taking a Sick Day in Korea Isn’t That Simple

On paper, sick leave in Korea is straightforward. Employees are legally entitled to take time off when they’re unwell.

In practice, it’s much more complicated.

Sick Leave Exists… But It’s Not Used

Many workers, especially in education, feel pressure not to take sick days.

The reasons are both cultural and structural. Even though the law allows it, the workplace environment often discourages it. Teachers, in particular, are expected to keep working unless absolutely necessary.

That creates a gap between what the law says and what actually happens.

The Substitute Teacher Problem

In many private kindergartens, the system for substitute teachers barely functions.

If a teacher needs time off:

• They may have to find their own replacement
• They may have to pay for that replacement themselves
• In some cases, there is no replacement available

In those situations, teachers often choose to work while sick rather than deal with the disruption.

Even when support systems exist, they are inconsistent. Out of 17 regional education offices, only a handful provide meaningful financial support for substitute teachers.

Cultural Pressure to Keep Working

There is also a strong social expectation to keep going, even when unwell.

Some teachers feel the need to apologize for taking time off by buying drinks or gifts for coworkers. Others worry about how they will be perceived by employers or parents.

The result is a system where people feel obligated to work through illness.

When the System Fails

A recent case brought national attention to this issue.

A kindergarten teacher in Bucheon was diagnosed with the flu and advised to rest. Instead, she continued working under pressure for several days.

Her condition worsened. She was eventually admitted to intensive care and passed away two weeks later.

Cases like this highlight how the gap between policy and reality can have serious consequences.

Calls for Change

There are now growing calls to reform the system.

One proposal is to require teachers to take sick leave when diagnosed with infectious illnesses, both for their own health and to protect students.

The Ministry of Education has begun reviewing the issue, and unions are pushing for stronger protections.

A System That Needs Fixing

Sick leave in Korea is not just a legal issue. It’s a cultural and structural one.

Until the systems around it improve, many workers will continue to face the same dilemma: take a day off and deal with the consequences, or keep working and risk their health.