Gwangju City has set the minimum wage for next year at 11,970 won per hour.
According to the city on the 11th, this marks an increase of 730 won from this year, representing the largest increase since the introduction of the minimum wage system.
The city confirmed the minimum wage for 2027 during a recent meeting of the Minimum Wage Advisory Committee.
This amount is a 6.5% increase from this year's hourly wage of 11,240 won.
Based on a 40-hour work week and 209 hours per month, the monthly salary for workers eligible for the minimum wage next year will be 2,501,730 won, an increase of 152,570 won from this year.
Compared to the government's set minimum wage of 10,700 won for 2027, the new minimum wage is 1,270 won higher.
The decision on the minimum wage took into account projections for consumer prices, Gwangju City's financial conditions, workers' living standards, and the impact on the local economy.
The minimum wage is a wage standard set by local governments to help ensure the actual living stability of workers, which cannot be met by the legal minimum wage alone.
The confirmed minimum wage will apply to Gwangju City employees, workers at city-owned investment and public institutions, and employees of organizations and companies that have contracts with the city starting January 1 of next year.
Citizens express hope that the increase in the minimum wage will help alleviate household burdens, while also emphasizing the need for ongoing wage policies that consider rising prices.
One citizen stated, "In a situation where living costs such as food and transportation continue to rise, even a slight increase in wages would help reduce the actual burden on households."
Another citizen remarked, "While wage increases are important, if prices rise simultaneously, the real impact may not be significant. I hope policies that workers can truly feel continue to be implemented."
Meanwhile, Mayor Park Kwan-yeol expressed hope that the increase in the minimum wage will contribute to the stability of workers' lives and improve their quality of life, adding, "We will continue to strive for the improvement of working conditions for non-regular workers and the enhancement of public services."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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