I am an administrative agent working in Songdo, Incheon. I've selected three administrative updates from this week that directly impact your daily life and business operations.
## 1. Spousal Parental Leave & Postpartum Leave Effective September 18, Increased Penalties for Unpaid Retirement Benefits
- What's changing — Spousal parental leave can now be taken up to 50 days before the expected due date. Parental leave is also available for spouses who need to care for a child at risk of miscarriage or premature birth. New leave is also available for spouses who experience miscarriage or stillbirth (within 5 days, initially announced as 3 days paid leave ⚠️ see original document for details). Penalties for failing to pay retirement benefits will increase from up to 3 years imprisonment and a fine of 30 million won → up to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of 50 million won.
- Who it affects — Employees and employers with pregnant or postpartum spouses, and employees.
- Effective date — September 18, 2026 (penalty for unpaid retirement benefits will be effective in October)
- Administrative agent's note — If you have employees, be sure to reflect the new leave in your employment rules and leave request forms. It’s a good idea to proactively address any outstanding retirement benefit settlements during this time.
- Source: [Chunji Ilbo · Second Half Employment System Changes (Announcement by the Ministry of Employment and Labor)](https://www.newscj.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=3413263)
## 2. 276 Pilot Schools Operating for 'Harmony Plus' School Violence Prevention
- What's changing — Expanding from a focus on preventative education for students to a system where faculty, students, and parents work together to intervene in conflicts from an early stage. Pilot schools include 104 elementary schools, 114 middle schools, 56 high schools, and 2 others, operating student supporters (87 locations) and peer counselors (145 locations). Faculty will provide preventative education for at least 11 class hours per year.
- Who it affects — Students, parents, and faculty of pilot schools, and families experiencing school violence issues.
- Effective date — Operating from September 2026, with plans to expand to 400 locations by 2027.
- Background — The 2026 first school violence prevalence survey, released on September 9, showed a response rate of 2.9% (approximately 91,600 students), with 5.7% in elementary schools.
- Administrative agent's note — Even with increased preventative programs, the review process remains the same when incidents occur. If you receive a notification of a review committee’s decision, be sure to check the administrative complaint filing period (90 days from the date you are notified of the action).
- Source: [Financial News · Ministry of Education Announcement](https://www.fnnews.com/news/202609151100004383), [Asia Today](https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260915010005737)
## 3. Comprehensive Revision of Regulations under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport — Amendments to Overcharge Collection and Recovery Provisions
- What's changing — The Legal Affairs Administration has revised regulations under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport as the first result of a comprehensive review of over 3,500 administrative regulations (25 presidential decrees and 21 ordinances). This includes correcting overcharge collection and recovery provisions that were inconsistent with higher laws and revising clauses that cited outdated provisions.
- Who it affects — Businesses that have received permits from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, such as construction, transportation, and housing, and those who have received overcharge penalties.
- Effective date — Approved by the National Council on September 8, to be effective upon promulgation (⚠️ Individual effective dates to be confirmed in the promulgation notice)
- Administrative agent's note — If you receive an overcharge collection notice, it’s worth comparing it to the revised provisions in the governing article. Regulations under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Fair Trade Commission are also scheduled to be revised within the year.
- Source: [Asia Economy · Legal Affairs Administration Announcement](https://view.asiae.co.kr/article/2026090816115132188)
## Deadlines to Watch This Week
- September 18 — Expansion of childbirth leave usage period, care parental leave, bereavement leave for miscarriage/stillbirth implemented, increased penalties for unpaid retirement benefits
- October — Increased penalties for wage arrears expected to be implemented (⚠️ Check the original date for implementation)
*This briefing is an announcement compiled by Hwang Yun-sang Administrative Agent Office based on publicly available information. Whether it applies to individual cases requires verification with the relevant authority.*
We are an administrative agent office handling administrative litigation, permits, and immigration matters in Songdo, Incheon (Posco Tower Songdo). Feel free to leave an inquiry if you are in a similar situation.