New Guidelines Allow Crime Victims to Receive Unemployment Benefits After Voluntary Resignation

The Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the Ministry of Employment and Labor in South Korea have established new internal guidelines to facilitate unemployment benefits for workers who voluntarily resign due to being victims of crime. Previously, while unemployment benefits were available for those unable to work due to crime-related issues, the criteria for determining eligibility in cases of voluntary resignation were unclear, leading to limited support for victims.

As of April 16, 2025, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office announced that if a crime victim resigns voluntarily but has a legitimate reason for doing so, they will be eligible for unemployment benefits. To qualify as a legitimate reason, there must be a clear causal link between the crime and the resignation. This includes situations where a crime occurred at the workplace, the perpetrator is a colleague, or there are concerns about retaliation or further victimization from the perpetrator. Simply being a crime victim is not sufficient to justify a resignation.

The process will involve the employment center reviewing various documents submitted by the applicant, such as indictments and court rulings, to determine if the resignation qualifies as legitimate. To ease the burden on victims, the prosecutors and police have agreed to provide necessary documentation directly to the employment centers, minimizing the need for victims to make multiple visits to different agencies.

Additionally, the prosecutors' office has recently improved its system to notify crime victims via text message about the progress of their cases, including notifications about case registration and assignment. They have also strengthened victims' rights to access case records and provided legal support for medical expenses and other needs.

A representative from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office stated that they will continue to enhance victim support and protection throughout the criminal procedure process.