550-won rise from 2026 rate of 12,070 won
Paju announced Friday that it has set its 2027 living wage at 12,620 won ($9), following a recent meeting of its labor-management-civil society council. The new rate represents a 550-won increase from the 2026 level of 12,070 won, a rise of 4.6 percent.
The living wage is set above the minimum wage to ensure workers can afford a basic standard of living, including cultural and social participation. The city determined next year's rate after weighing recent inflation, local economic conditions and its fiscal situation.
The decision also took into account a government guideline issued in May 2026 on improving the treatment of non-regular workers in the public sector, which recommends a wage level equivalent to at least 118 percent of the minimum wage.
The new living wage takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, and applies to workers at Paju city and its affiliated institutions who meet the relevant eligibility criteria.
Paju Mayor Son Bae-chan said the city's vision under its ninth directly elected administration is "Paju, the economy, through Paju," adding that achieving it requires quality jobs, safe working conditions and cooperative labor-management relations. "We will work to improve the quality of life for workers and to respect the value of labor," he said.
pjh@heraldcorp.com
