The Ministry of Employment and Labor announced on Friday that the nation’s minimum wage for next year will rise to eight-thousand-350 won per hour as earlier decided. 

The figure, which represents an increase of ten-point-nine percent from this year, is the same that the Minimum Wage Commission had voted for on July 14th. 

The ministry concluded that it found no cause in a complaint raised by some business groups on the figure and decided not to request the commission for a re-deliberation. 

Last month, the Korea Employers Federation and the Korea Federation of SMEs each submitted a motion protesting the minimum wage rise, claiming the commission had failed to take into account small businesses’ ability to pay the increased wages. 

Under the current law, labor and civic groups can raise issues with the minimum wage rate set by the wage commission. The commission has to again review the rate if the labor minister recognizes the groups’ complaints.