Living
Housing contracts, jeonse and wolse, health insurance and everyday utilities.
12 articles
Exchanging a Foreign Driving Licence in Korea: What the Process Requires
How to convert a foreign driver's licence to a Korean one, which countries qualify for a simplified exchange, the embassy confirmation step, and how an international permit differs.
Gym Contracts in Korea: Cancellation Rights and How Refunds Are Calculated
Long prepaid gym and PT contracts are standard in Korea, and so are disputes about cancelling them. Here is what the consumer rules provide, how refunds are computed, and where to complain.
Visiting a Hospital in Korea: Clinics, Referrals and What You Pay
How Korea's tiered medical system works, when you need a referral, what a visit costs with and without national health insurance, and how to find English-speaking care.
National Health Insurance in Korea for Foreign Residents
Who must enrol and when, how employee and local subscriber premiums are calculated differently, what is covered, and what happens if you fall behind on payments.
Bringing a Pet to Korea: Import Requirements and the Rabies Titre Test
What Korea requires to import a dog or cat — microchip, rabies vaccination, the antibody titre test and its waiting period, and the health certificate — plus registration once you arrive.
Using a Pharmacy in Korea: What You Can Buy Without a Prescription
How Korean pharmacies work, which common remedies are available over the counter, what the convenience store exception covers, and the rules on bringing your own medication into the country.
Real Estate Agent Fees in Korea: How the Rate Is Set and What You Should Pay
Agent commission in Korea is capped by regulated percentage bands, not freely negotiated. Here is how the calculation works for jeonse and wolse, and what to check before paying.
Recycling Rules in Korea: Volume-Rate Bags, Food Waste and Fines
How Korea's volume-rate waste system works, which bag to buy where, how food waste is charged separately, and the sorting mistakes that lead to fines or uncollected rubbish.
Signing a Rental Contract in Korea: What to Check Before You Pay
The property register check, the agent's role and fee, standard contract clauses, and the three steps after signing that protect your deposit.
Utility Bills in Korea: Setting Up, Reading and Paying Them
What the management fee covers, how electricity, gas and water are billed separately, the progressive electricity tariff that spikes summer bills, and how to set up automatic payment.
Cost of Living in Korea: Where the Money Actually Goes
How housing, food, transport, utilities and insurance combine into a monthly budget in Korea, and which costs surprise new arrivals most.
Jeonse Explained: How Korea's Deposit-Only Lease Works and How to Protect Your Money
Jeonse means paying one large deposit instead of monthly rent. Here is how the deposit is returned, what wolse costs by comparison, and the three steps that protect your deposit legally.