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Korea Guide publishes practical, English-language guides about living in, visiting, and dealing with paperwork in South Korea — visas, insurance, money transfers, taxes, and everyday life.

Every article is written and personally reviewed by Damin Yun. We aim to add real value: step-by-step procedures, cost breakdowns, local context, and honest comparisons — not rehashed news.

This site is independent and reader-supported through advertising. We do not guarantee outcomes; always confirm official requirements with the relevant authorities.

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Buying Property in Korea as a Foreigner: 2026 Rules and Costs

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By WCS Key takeaways Foreigners can own 100% of Korean property in their own name, with the same registered title (deunggi) as citizens — no Korean co-owner or nationality cap in the general case. Since August 26, 2025, the entire Seoul Capital Area (25 Seoul districts, 23 Gyeonggi cities, 7 Incheon districts) is a foreigner permit zone through Dec 31, 2026: get permission before signing, not a 60-day report. Approved permit-zone buyers must move in within 4 months and live there at least 2 years; violations can draw fines up to 10% of property value and cancel the deal. In regulated/speculative zones, first-home LTV is capped at 40% with loan ceilings of 600M won (homes up to 1.5B), 400M (1.5–2.5B), 200M (over 2.5B); existing homeowners face effectively 0% LTV. Closing costs add to the price: acquisition tax ~1–3% (8–12% for multi-home/corporate), agent ~0.4–0.9%+VAT; a 700M won apartment example adds roughly 14–22M won. Contents Legal eligibility: can a foreigner own property in K...
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Korean Income Tax for Foreign Workers: Rates, Flat Tax & Year-End Settlement (2026)

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By WCS Key takeaways Korea taxes residents on 8 progressive brackets from 6% to 45%, plus a 10% local surtax, so combined rates run 6.6% up to 49.5% (only the slice in each band is taxed). Qualifying foreign workers can elect a flat 19% national rate (about 20.9% with local surtax) on Korean-source pay, applied to gross income with essentially no deductions or credits. The flat tax lasts up to 20 years from your first day working in Korea; current rules tie eligibility to starting employment by a reported end-of-2026 deadline. The flat rate favors high earners: those above roughly KRW 130 million a year often win on it, while many mid-range earners do better on the progressive scale after deductions. Year-end settlement (yeonmaljeongsan) replaces a separate return: consent on Hometax by ~Jan 15, settle with February pay, and over-withholding returns as the '13th-month pay' refund. Contents How the Progressive System Works The 19% Flat Tax Option Year-End Settlement (연말정산) Ho...
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International Schools in Seoul: A Practical Expat Guide

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By WCS Key takeaways Korea has three legal school types: foreign schools (외국인학교), broader-access international/private schools, and tuition-free Korean public schools that accept foreign children. Foreign-school eligibility usually requires foreign nationality, one foreign-national parent, or ~3 years (often 1,095 days) of verified overseas residency, with Korean-national admission regionally capped. Premium schools like Seoul Foreign School run ~₩46M/year at elementary and ~₩54M/year at high school; budget ₩40M–60M per child all-in including deposits, capital fees, and transport. Admissions follow a yearly rhythm: shortlist Sept–Dec, main applications Jan–Mar, testing and interviews Mar–May, with rolling/waitlist seats opening from June. Common mistakes: assuming eligibility, budgeting tuition only (USD-portion and capital fees add millions), applying late to entry grades (kindergarten, Grade 6, Grade 9), and ignoring 90-minute commutes. Contents Understanding the Three Main School...
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