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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.

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.

Work

Dive into the South Korea labour market, legal framework and tips on how to find a job in South Korea.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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