(1) Any employer may hire a fixed-term employee for a period not exceeding two years (where his or her fixed-term employment contract is repetitively renewed, the total period of his or her continuous employment shall not exceed two years): Provided, That where a fixed-term employee falls under any of the following subparagraphs, any employer may hire such employee for more than two years: <Amended on May 26, 2020>
1. Where the period required to complete a project or particular task is specified;
2. Where a fixed-term employee is needed to fill a vacancy arising from an employee's temporary suspension from duty or dispatch until the relevant employee returns to work;
3. Where the period required for an employee to complete his or her schoolwork or vocational training is specified;
4. Where an employer enters into an employment contract with a senior citizen as defined in subparagraph 1 of Article 2 of the Employment Promotion for the Aged Act;
5. Where the job requires professional knowledge and skills or is offered as part of the Government's welfare or unemployment measures, as prescribed by Presidential Decree;
6. Where any reasonable ground exists equivalent to those mentioned in subparagraphs 1 through 5, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(2) Where any employer hires a fixed-term employee for more than two years although those grounds under the proviso of paragraph (1) do not exist or cease to exist, such fixed-term employee shall be deemed an employee subject to non-fixed term employment contract.