Korea’s Freelancers Want More Than Freedom—They Want Protection

At a café in Seongsu, 34-year-old translator Park Minkyung works on three deadlines at once—none of which come with insurance, sick leave, or guaranteed pay. “I love the freedom,” she says. “But I’m always one accident away from financial crisis.”

In 2025, over 2.9 million Koreans are working as freelancers, gig workers, or non-standard contractors, according to the Ministry of Employment and Labor. And while flexibility is prized, a growing number of them are organizing—not just working.

Korea’s freelance workforce includes translators, designers, platform drivers, online tutors, and increasingly, white-collar professionals like developers and researchers. The problem? Most fall outside existing labor protections.

“I worked six months on a government project and wasn’t paid until I threatened legal action,” says video editor Kim Hojun. “There’s no HR. No union. Just screenshots.”

In response, grassroots unions like Freelance Alliance Korea and 노프팀 (No Platform Team) are gaining traction. These groups demand transparent contracts, late-payment penalties, and portable benefits.

The government is listening. A 2025 bill under review proposes a “third category” of worker between contractor and employee, allowing access to national pension, health insurance, and legal arbitration.

Yet critics warn of enforcement challenges. “Even if laws change, individual freelancers often don’t have time, energy, or money to fight abuse,” says labor lawyer Jung Yuna.

Some platforms are self-regulating. Taling and Kmong now require contract templates and payment tracking. Meanwhile, coworking spaces are turning into organizing hubs, where freelancers host “invoice parties” and share safety checklists.

Korea’s freelancers may be solo workers—but they’re starting to speak with one voice.

Date: 2025-02-24

Reporter: 박근홍