- Applications Open for 2026 Labor Day Government Awards (Nov. 26–Dec. 26, 2025)
The Ministry of Employment and Labor (Minister Young-hoon Kim) announced the plan for the “2026 Labor Day Government Awards” and will accept nominations for award candidates from November 26 (Wednesday) to December 26 (Friday).
The 2026 “Labor Day Government Awards” (formerly the Government Awards for Workers’ Day) are particularly significant as they mark the first year in 62 years that the official title “Labor Day” is used for the government awards.
* The Labor Day Government Awards have been held annually since 1975, with a total of 17,817 recipients honored to date.
In order to reflect the meaning of Labor Day—respecting the value of all labor—the government plans to provide award opportunities to all individuals who continue to work diligently in challenging conditions, including platform workers, workers in special types of employment, freelancers, employees of small-scale and micro businesses, and young people, women, and persons with disabilities. The government will also actively identify and honor unsung contributors who have previously been relatively overlooked in the awards process.
Next year, so as to enhance the prestige of the awards, the government plans to consult with relevant ministries to expand the number of higher-level honors—such as orders, medals, and Presidential Commendations—compared to previous years.
* (Proposed award scale) Orders (18), Medals (18), Presidential Commendations (55), Prime Minister’s Commendations (59), Ministerial Commendations (60)
Nominations may be submitted by filing the required documents with the Labor–Management Coexistence Support Division or the Labor Standards Guidance Division (Division 1) of the local labor office having jurisdiction over the workplace. Detailed information, including how to complete the nomination forms, is available on the Ministry of Employment and Labor Web site.
* Refer to “2026 Labor Day Government Awards Information” under News & Announcements > Notices on the Ministry of Employment and Labor Web site (https://www.moel.go.kr).
Once nomination documents are received, eligibility reviews and public verification will be conducted, followed by a merit-based evaluation to determine the award recipients. The awards will be presented in commemoration of Labor Day 2026 together with all working people across the nation.