Work Injury Suspension Pay: How Many Days of Your Average Wage

As of September 24, 2026. This post covers the suspension benefit only. For the minimum compensation standards notified for medical, disability and suspension benefits, COMWEL's decision takes precedence over the calculation in this post.

Who it applies to

Workers who cannot work while receiving treatment for an injury or illness arising from their job. If that period is 3 days or less, there is no suspension benefit. From the fourth day, 70% of the average daily wage is the daily amount. Periods before medical approval also count retroactively if the incident is later recognized as work-related.

Where the average wage is lower than the minimum wage, there are rules that raise it to the minimum wage level for the calculation. If 70% comes to less than the minimum compensation standard for the year, that standard amount is the floor. Check COMWEL's notice for the exact won amount of the 2026 standard. This post only calculates examples that do not hit that floor.

The formulas

Daily suspension benefit = average daily wage × 70%

Average daily wage = total wages in the 3 months before the accident ÷ total days in that period

Amount received = daily suspension benefit × days you could not work. Subtract the first 3 days.

Example

Average daily wage 100,000 won, unable to work for 30 days.

Daily suspension benefit = 70,000 won. Subtracting the first 3 days leaves 27 days. 70,000 × 27 = 1,890,000 won.

Do not design this money to double up with your company salary. If the employer pays wages during the suspension period, it may be offset against the suspension benefit. Report any double payment to COMWEL.

Sources

The suspension benefit under the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act. The daily amount is 70% of the average wage, and it is not paid when the period of inability to work is 3 days or less. Apply through COMWEL.