GEPIK Contract Information
Key terms from the official 2026 Gyeonggi-do Office of Education employment contract for native English teachers — duration, working hours, teaching load, holidays, and sick leave.
1 Yr
Contract Length
22 Hrs
Teaching / Week
Mon–Fri
8:40 AM–4:40 PM
11
Paid Sick Days
The GEPIK contract is a standard 1-year employment agreement issued by the Gyeonggi-do Office of Education. Contracts are renewable with the same school for additional years, with meaningful salary increases and a ₩2M Renewal Allowance for returning teachers. These are the six key terms every GEPIK teacher should understand before signing.
Key Contract Terms
Contract Term
1 YearAll GEPIK positions are for one (1) year in length. Contracts are renewable for a second or third year with the same school (with a ₩2,000,000 Renewal Allowance for those who re-sign at the same school).
Working Days & Hours
Mon–Fri · 8:40 AM–4:40 PMGEPIK teachers generally work Monday through Friday, from 8:40 AM to 4:40 PM — a standard 8-hour day with a lunch break. Specific start and end times may vary slightly by school.
Teaching Hours Per Week
22 hours / week maxGEPIK teachers are required to teach a maximum of 22 hours per week. Remaining hours during the workday are reserved for lesson planning, co-teacher meetings, and school activities. Any teaching hours that exceed 22 are subject to overtime pay.
National Holidays & Special Observances
Paid offGEPIK teachers do not work on Korean national holidays (marked as 'Red Days' on Korean calendars) or on school-designated special days such as founding days. These are paid holidays in addition to your vacation allotment.
Paid Sick Days
Up to 11 days per contractGEPIK teachers are allotted up to 11 paid sick days per contract term. Using consecutive sick days in a row requires a note from a doctor or physician. Sick days do not roll over into a renewed contract.
Paid Vacation
20 days per contractGEPIK teachers receive 20 days of paid vacation per contract year, generally taken during summer (August) and winter (January) school breaks when students are on break. Weekends and national holidays are not counted against vacation days.
Contract FAQ
Q.Is GEPIK a 1-year contract only?
The base contract is 1 year, but most teachers renew for a second or third year. Renewing at the same school earns you a ₩2,000,000 Renewal Allowance and places you on a higher salary tier (e.g. Level 1+ at ₩2.5M). Many GEPIK teachers teach 2-5 years consecutively.
Q.What does a typical GEPIK workday look like?
Arrive at school by 8:40 AM. Teach 3-5 classes during the morning and early afternoon. Use your 'deskwarming' hours between classes for lesson planning, co-teacher meetings, and preparing materials. Take a ~1-hour lunch with staff. Finish the day by 4:40 PM. Total: about 4-5 teaching hours per day, with the rest reserved for prep work.
Q.Can I take vacation outside of summer/winter breaks?
In most cases, no. GEPIK vacation days are tied to the school calendar and must be taken during summer (August) or winter (January) break periods. Taking vacation outside these periods requires explicit school approval and is generally only granted for emergencies.
Q.What happens if I teach more than 22 hours per week?
Teaching hours beyond 22 per week are subject to overtime pay under the official GEPIK contract. This is uncommon, as schools try to keep teachers within their standard hours — but if it happens, you are entitled to additional compensation.
Q.Can I break my GEPIK contract early?
Breaking a GEPIK contract early is possible but not recommended. It typically forfeits your Exit Allowance and severance pay, and may impact future visa sponsorship in Korea. If there is a serious reason (medical, family emergency), discuss it with your Korvia recruiter and school before acting.
Q.Do I get paid during national holidays?
Yes. Korean national holidays, school-designated days (like founding day), and weekends are all paid days off. Your full monthly salary is paid regardless of how many holidays fall in a given month.
Review the Contract Before You Sign
Korvia provides a sample contract and line-by-line review before you sign. We've placed thousands of teachers in Gyeonggi since 2008.