Living in Korea, explained properly.
Visas, banking, phone plans, taxes and housing — written for people who actually have to do it, and sourced from the published criteria.
Minimum Wage in Korea: The 2026 Rate, Who It Covers, and What to Do If You Are Underpaid
Korea's 2026 minimum wage is 10,320 won per hour and applies to every worker regardless of nationality or visa. How it is set, the monthly equivalent, and the steps to take if your pay is below the floor.
korea minimum wage — Read guideWhat's in this guide
- Korea's 2026 minimum wage is 10,320 won per hour — 2,156,880 won a month at a standard 40-hour week — effective from January 1, 2026.
- The Minimum Wage Act covers every worker in Korea with no nationality or visa distinction: E-9, E-7, F-series and all others are protected equally.
- The 2027 rate has been decided at 10,700 won per hour, effective January 1, 2027.
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- Living
Severance Pay (퇴직금) in Korea: Who Qualifies, How It Is Calculated, and Payment Rules
Korean severance pay (퇴직금) is a statutory right for any worker with one year of continuous service, including foreign workers. How it is calculated, the 14-day payment rule, and the departure insurance that covers many foreign employees.
- Living
Marriage Registration in Korea: What Makes a Marriage Legal, Documents and Timing
In Korea a wedding ceremony has no legal effect — a marriage becomes legal only when the marriage report (혼인신고) is filed and accepted. What to prepare, how long you have if you married abroad, and what comes after registration.
- Visa
Korea C-3-4 Visa: Short-Term Business Visits Without Work, and How to Apply
The C-3-4 (general business) visa covers short-term, non-remunerative business in Korea — meetings, market research, consultations and contracts for up to 90 days. What it allows, what it does not, and the documents you need.
- Phone
Getting Home Internet Installed in Korea: Providers, Documents and What to Check First
How to set up home internet in Korea as a foreign resident — the three providers, the ARC and address requirements, whether your apartment already includes internet, and what to check on installation day.
- Banking
Getting Your Salary Paid in Korea: Accounts, Payroll Setup, and Lifting the Transfer Cap
How salary deposits work for foreign residents in Korea — which account to give your employer, what banks need to open a salary account, and how salary records lift the new-account transfer cap.
- Visa
Korea C-4 Visa: Short-Term Work for Up to 90 Days, What Qualifies, How to Apply
The C-4 (short-term employment) visa lets you work in Korea for up to 90 days on a single entry. What activities qualify, how it differs from C-3 and long-term work visas, and the documents you need.
- Living
Can You See North Korea from Seoul? Where the Border Actually Is
From central Seoul you cannot see North Korea — the border sits about 50 km north. Where you actually can see across: the observatories near the DMZ in Paju and Gimpo, and how to reach them.
- Banking
Banking in English in Korea: Call Centres, Global Desks, Apps and Documents
Where foreign residents get English-language banking service in Korea — dedicated foreign-customer call centres, global desks at branches, multilingual apps, and English statements and balance certificates.