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Is it possible to guarantee a 2-year contract, in both industry and academia?

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Author

korealab_admin

Date Posted

2026. 10. 03

There are many small companies and start-ups in places like Bundang area. But I know a few foreigners who got hired and then fired in less than a year with the reason of budget cuts. Is it possible to guarantee a 2-year contract, in both industry and academia? Is there any law to save the employee when the employer breaches the job contract?

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Comments 2

korealab_admin

(Date Posted) 2026.10.03

While you can sign a 2-year contract, it does not completely shield an employee from restructuring (e.g., layoffs due to managerial crisis/budget cuts), particularly in startups with short financial runways. • Legal Protections: Under Articles 23 and 28 of the Korean Labor Standards Act, unfair dismissal without justifiable cause is strictly prohibited. - If dismissed arbitrarily, employees can file a remedy for unfair dismissal with the Regional Labor Relations Commission. - Dismissals based on urgent managerial necessity still require 30 days' advance notice (or 30 days' equivalent pay in lieu of notice).

Konki

(Date Posted) 2026.10.29

Yes, possible in industry, but universities and research institutes in Korea provide only 1 year. All the best.

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Is it possible to guarantee a 2-year contract, in both industry and academia?

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