Living in South Korea: the ultimate expat guide
Everything you need to know for a successful life in South Korea.
South Korea is the ideal destination for expatriates who are keen about discovering new cultures. Thanks to its prosperous economy, its modern lifestyle, as well as its dynamic open labor market and its innumerable natural, historical and cultural wealth, South Korea is sure to meet the expectations of expatriates from all over the world.
Welcome to the "Land of the Morning Calm"!
South Korea covers over 100,210 km² on its half of the Korean Peninsula and is also known as the Land of the Tiger, due to the distinct shape on the map. The capital of Seoul counts about ten million people and is in 4th place of the 10 wealthiest cities in the world by GDP today.
Demography
South Korea is home to around 50 million people, compared to about 25 million in the north. It is known to be an ethnically homogeneous country with a Chinese minority. Although many Koreans have emigrated to other parts of the world, millions of foreigners, particularly from Europe and the United States, have settled in South Korea over the past decades. The cities of Seoul, Busan and Incheon are the most densely populated with 10 million, 3.5 million and 3 million people respectively.
South Korea's official language is Korean, but languages such as Chinese and English are also spoken by a large part of the population. On top of that, foreign languages such as French, German, and Spanish are widely popular and taught at schools around the country.
Economy
Since the Korean War, South Korea has become one of the world's greatest economic powers. Its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) amounted to over 1.411 trillion USD in 2016 while the growth rate for the same year was around 2.7%, representing a slight increase compared to 2015 (1.383 trillion USD). Its economy is mainly based on export and import. Several other sectors such as industry, food, information, and communication technology, also contribute to its GDP.
The country is a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Southeast Asian Nations Association and the G20.
Politics
South Korea is a republic governed by a President, who is also the Chief of armies. Moon Jae-In was elected after the impeachment of his predecessor, Park Geun-hye in the 2017 South Korean presidential election. He will occupy this chair for five years. Lee Nak-yeon was nominated Prime Minister.
The South Korean parliament, which is known as the National Assembly or the 'Kukhoe', consists of 300 seats. 245 MPs are directly elected while the remaining seats are distributed proportionally.
Climate
South Korea is influenced by a mixture of a humid continental climate and a humid subtropical climate. The country has four changing seasons: winter, spring, summer, and autumn. Winter lasts from November to February and is marked by moderate to heavy snowfall. Spring begins in March and is relatively short. Summer comes in May with temperatures that can reach up to 25°C. The monsoon season usually starts in late June and lasts until the end of July. In September, autumn arrives with a rather light, windy and dry climate.
Key facts
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Formalities
Find out more on visas, passports and entry requirements to travel to South Korea.
Visas
All you need to know on work visas, work permits, working holiday visas and residence permits to live and work in South Korea.
Short-term visas for South Korea
Apart from the tourist visa, which allows you to stay in South Korea for 90 days, there are other ...
Professional visas for South Korea
There are different types of visas in South Korea. For example, individuals seeking work experience ...
Working Holiday Visa for South Korea
South Korea has been attracting more and more Working Holiday Visa volunteers in recent years. Yes, ...
Work
Dive into the South Korea labour market, legal framework and tips on how to find a job in South Korea.
Finding work in South Korea
Some of the best resources to find a job in South Korea include newspapers, recruitment agencies, ...
Setting up a business in South Korea
South Korea, known as the "Asian Dragon", is one of the most important global economic ...
Jobs in South Korea
Discover professional opportunities in South Korea and boost your career.
Accommodation
Explore real estate or temporary rentals in South Korea. Find out more about renting or buying a house or a flat, real estate agents, leases and rental agreements.
Accommodation in South Korea
Finding housing in South Korea will be among your first priorities. The Korean rental system is very different from most other countries, ...
Study
Universities, training courses, student visas, registration procedures: all you need to know about being an international student in South Korea.
Study in South Korea
South Korea is a popular destination for students wanting to pursue higher education in an Asian country. Many public and private universities offer ...
Health care
Understanding the healthcare system in South Korea: public and private health system, health insurance...
Bank
Navigate the banking system in South Korea: how to choose a bank and open a bank account.
Tax
All you need to know about income tax, the tax system and filing your taxes as an expat in South Korea.
The tax system in South Korea
If you are an expat living in South Korea, you might have questions regarding the country's taxation system. First of all, note that you will ...
Transport
From public transports to renting or buying a car, explore the best options to getting around in South Korea.
Travelling around South Korea
Are you planning to live in South Korea and travel around the country? South Korea has a highly developed transport network with a variety of means ...
Driving
Essential information on driving requirements in South Korea, driver's license exchange and international permits.
How to drive in South Korea
If you are visiting South Korea for short-term, you are allowed to rent a car if you hold an international driving licence recognised by the South ...
Removal
Moving to South Korea? Find useful information and tips to organize your move.
Relocating to South Korea
If you are planning to move to South Korea, you should take enough time to choose the right moving ...
Travelling to South Korea with your pet
If you are planning to move to South Korea with your pet, you may be wondering how to proceed. It ...
Free quotes for your move
Get the best offers to easily organize your relocation to South Korea.
Communications
Internet and phone providers, plans, and everything you need to stay connected in South Korea.
Leisure
Sports, leisure, culture and other activities expats can enjoy in their spare time in South Korea.
Everyday life
Eager to discover what life in South Korea looks like? Here's a taste.
Articles from the magazine
Annie: "One of the best way to learn the culture of a country is by trying out their cuisine"
Annie is 26. She started travelling in 2011. She travels to get to know the local culture, to capture some pictures... mostly of food. She has indeed a passion for food and even dedicated her blog, "Epicurious Annie", to Korean food.
Laura in Seoul: "The people in my neighborhood are amazing"
Laura comes from Ontario. She moved to South Korea with her boyfriend more than a year ago. Following their stay in Suwon, they moved to Seoul where Laura is an online English instructor.
Britanny in Daejeon: "South Korea is a very homogenous country"
Britanny, ESL teacher, has lived in South Korea for a year and a half. She chose to come back after her studies for her love for the country's people, food and language. Living in South Korea, for her, is a fantastic adventure...
From America to South Korea and everything in between
We move from one place to another for all different reasons. For Keri the journey abroad started off as a teenage adventure. Her love for K-pop took her all the way to South Korea — where she met her other big love, her husband. Keri misses home in America, but cannot yet bid farewell to the South Korean lifestyle, the culture of kindness and respect, and the spicy food. She talks to Expat.com about the country of temples, mighty mountains, and friendly people.
Freelancer Expat: Double Delight
Expatriation involves a great deal of adventure and uncertainty. Freelance work too, comes with a lot of freedom, flexibility, and creativity — all leading to an unconventional reality that can make or break you. Moving abroad is already a challenge when there's a solid employment contract waiting for you, let alone when there's no company, support network of colleagues, and steady income. But you know with all your heart that freelancing is what you want to be doing, and you want to be doing it abroad. Here are a few things to consider before you pack your laptop.
Interview: The story of Anna who lives in and Laura who left South Korea
Anna has been living in South Korea for nine years and Laura left after a year of living in the same country. What is it about South Korea that makes a 19 year old want to leave everything behind for? And on the other hand, what is it about the country that makes someone else leave after a year? Anna and Laura tell us their stories.
South Korea: These sectors are currently facing labor shortages
Will 2023 be the year of a new economic and even demographic boost in South Korea? This is the government's hope and belief as it outlines its plan to revive the South Korean economy. Since important sectors are suffering from acute labor shortages, it is taking new measures to welcome foreign workers. Which are the most affected sectors and are in desperate need of expat workers?
Why you should get a Hallyu visa to South Korea
The Hallyu visa to South Korea is finally available after one year of discussions. Officially branded "K-culture training visa", it should allow foreigners to stay up to two years in South Korea to either discover its unique artistic scene or realize their dream of breaking into the entertainment industry. The government is also considering the introduction of a digital nomad visa.
