South Korea is a fascinating cultural destination with modern cities, friendly people and some of the tastiest food in Asia. Korean people are proud of their heritage and culture, with good reason. Once you get a glimpse of the ‘real’ Korea, there is much to love about living here.
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Country Facts
• Population: 51 million
• Capital city: Seoul
• Official language: Korean
• Currency: South Korean Won (KRW)
• Minimum wage: 8,350 KRW/hour
Best Places to Work
Most companies are based in the largest cities in South Korea and this is where most foreigners find jobs, including:
• Seoul
• Busan
• Incheon
• Daegu
• Daejeon
How to Work in South Korea
Finding paid working South Korea as a foreigner can be difficult unless you are employed by a multinational company. Some global companies have offices all around the world including Korea. Industries like tourism, IT, business, translation, programming and teaching employ foreigners. Usually you will need a basic understanding of Korean, this will really boost your chances of integrating into Korean society and also finding employment.
Teaching Work in Korea
One of the most popular option for foreigners to live in Korea is teaching English. The education market here is one of the strongest in the world and thousands of foreign language teachers are employed every year. The demand for native speaker English teachers in Korea far outstrips the supply, so competition for jobs is much less acute in Korea than in Japan. More than two-thirds of the work available is teaching young children and adolescents so any native speaker with enthusiasm for working with children will have a large choice of job offers. The main TEFL regions are Seoul & Pusan but jobs can be found throughout South Korea. Salaries typically range from US$1600 to US$1800 a month, with 5 – 10% taken for tax, depending on the location. Contracts run from 6 to 12 months. Teachers must be native English speakers and university Degree holders.
Visas
To get a valid work permit you must have a University degree. Work permits are issued at consulates outside Korea. It is common for teachers to enter the country on a tourist visa and begin work then later take their documentation on a “visa run” to a consulate in a nearby country, usually Fukuoka, Japan.
FAQ
Country Facts
Area: 99,373 sq km
Population: 48 million
Capital City: Seoul (pop 10.3 million)
Language: Korean
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +9
Dialling Code: 82
Electricity: 220V, 60Hz
Weights & measures: Metric
Religion: 25% Christianity, 25% Buddhism, Confucianism, Shamanism, 50% none.
Major Industries: Shipbuilding, cars, machinery, electronics, chemicals, textiles
Culture
South Korean culture is strongly influenced by China and Japan and the country is a blend of super modern new technology and old ancient temples.
History
Korea was occupied by Japan from the beginning of the twentieth century up to the end of the Second World War, after which a republic was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a Communist-style government was installed in the north. During the Korean War (1950-1953), U.S. and other UN forces intervened to defend South Korea from North Korean attacks. An armistice was signed in 1953, splitting the peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. Thereafter, South Korea achieved rapid economic growth with per capita income rising to roughly 18 times the level of North Korea. South Korea remains an economic power house.
Climate
South Korea’s climate is temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter. The terrain consists of mostly hills and mountains, with wide coastal plains in the west and south. It is a stunning landscape worthy of the pride the Koreans have for it.
Currency
The currency of South Korea is the Won. (Currency code: KRW). Coin denominations are W10, W50, W100, and W500. Banknotes are W1,000, W5,000 and W10,000. Foreign banknotes can be easily converted into the Korean Won at foreign exchange banks and other authorized money exchangers.
Working hours
People in South Korea work hard, and in 2020, a new policy was introduced that limited the weekly working hours to 52 hours per week. This is still high compared to Europe and North America standards. What your working schedule is really depends on the employer and role.
Safety
South Korea is one of the safest countries in the world, with very low crime rates. Even with the language barrier local people are very friendly and hospitable.
Events
The first day of the first moon is Seollal (lunar new year; January/February), when South Korea grinds to a halt. The Cherry Blossom Festival in Jinhae in the province of Gyeongsangnam-do usually falls in early April (if the weather and trees cooperate). Lantern parades are held for Buddha’s Birthday, celebrated in late April or early May. In Seoul, there is an evening parade from Tapgol Park to Jogyesa on the Sunday prior to the actual holiday. June sees processions of shamans and mask dances at the Dano Festival, and in September the National Folk Arts Festival showcases Korean culture. South Korea’s biggest holiday is Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving). At this time (September/October), cities throughout the country empty as people return to their family homes to pay homage to their ancestors.
Public Holidays
1 January: New Year’s Day
3 February: Folklore Day
26 February: Taeborum
1 March: Independence Movement Day
10 March: Labour Day
5 April: Day of Trees
5 May: Children’s Day
24 May: Buddha’s Birthday
6 June: Memorial Day
15 June: Tano
17 July: Constitution Day
15 August: Liberation Day
18 September: Mid-Autumn Festival
3 October: National Day
25 December: Christmas Day
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