Life&Culture
Survive & Thrive In series
A guide to living in South Korea for those new to the country
#Expat
# Seoul life
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Survive & Thrive In series
A guide to living in South Korea for those new to the country
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Series preview
Becoming a Korean
TSurvive & Thrive is a weekly series offering a guide to living in South Korea for those born outside of the country. – Ed. According to the latest government data, there are 210,990 naturali
Tips for getting around Seoul by subway
Seoul’s subway map can make a journey look straightforward. What it does not show is how long a transfer can take or how crowded a station may be when you arrive. For passengers navigating the capital region, knowing when to travel, where to change trains and when to use the airport railroad can make a trip easier. The Airport Railroad, known as AREX, connects Seoul Station with Gimpo and Incheon international airports. Its two services serve different needs. All-stop trains call at every statio
2 hour ago
Thrifty plans or major carriers? Choosing mobile service in Korea
If you have a residence card and a Korean bank account or credit card, you can usually sign up for a long-term mobile plan. The harder question is which kind to choose. South Korea has three major network operators: SK Telecom, KT and LG Uplus. They offer extensive retail networks, device financing, membership benefits and bundles linking mobile service with home internet and television. The alternative is a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO. Known in Korean as “altteulpon,” or budget mob
Sept. 25, 2026 - 09:00:00
Getting a mobile plan in Korea — and making sure it works for ID verification
In Korea, a mobile number does more than keep you connected. It is often used to verify identity when accessing banking apps, delivery platforms, government websites and other online services. Short-term visitors can usually manage with international roaming, a travel eSIM, a prepaid SIM card or pocket Wi-Fi. You can also sign up for KakaoTalk with a mobile number issued outside Korea. Those staying longer, however, often need a Korean mobile line registered in their own name. Having a local num
Sept. 17, 2026 - 15:27:12
What foreign parents can claim when having a baby in Korea
Having a baby brings plenty of paperwork and expenses. For foreign residents in South Korea, available benefits depend on health insurance coverage, the parents’ immigration status, the child’s nationality and where the family lives. Here are the main programs to check before and after childbirth. Foreign residents enrolled in the National Health Insurance Service are generally eligible for the same pregnancy and childbirth medical benefits as Korean subscribers. Enrollment rules vary. Foreign e
Sept. 11, 2026 - 09:00:00
Unwritten rules of driving in Korea
Driving in a foreign country requires learning more than its traffic laws. In Korea, hazard lights, horns and even phone numbers left on dashboards carry meanings that may not be immediately obvious to newcomers. Here are some of the unwritten rules and practical habits to know before getting behind the wheel. What hazard lights mean when driving in Korea A quick double flash of hazard lights in Korea may mean “thank you,” “sorry” or “watch out.” The meaning depends on the situation. While traff
Sept. 3, 2026 - 11:25:19
What it takes for foreigners to drive legally in Korea
South Korea’s extensive public transportation network makes it possible for visitors to get by without a car. But for those who plan to drive — whether for travel, work or a longer stay — the rules depend largely on how long they will be in the country and where their current license was issued. Short-term visitors may be able to use an international driving permit, while longer-term residents can exchange a foreign license for a Korean one or apply for a Korean license from scratch. If you have
Aug. 31, 2026 - 13:34:04
How to get permission to bring controlled medication into Korea
Travelers can bring certain controlled medications into South Korea for personal treatment, but they must obtain approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety before entering the country. This can apply to some medicines commonly prescribed or sold over the counter overseas. South Korea strictly regulates narcotics, psychotropic substances and other controlled drugs, including some ingredients found in medicines widely used in other countries. One example is dextromethorphan, an ingredient
Aug. 25, 2026 - 13:19:11
Can I bring my medication into Korea?
Bringing medication into South Korea may seem straightforward, particularly if it is something you have been prescribed or can easily buy in your home country. But some medications that are legal overseas are tightly regulated in Korea, while others may require a prescription, supporting documents or prior government approval before they can be brought into the country. Korea has strict regulations not only on illegal drugs, but also on state-approved medications containing controlled substances
Aug. 18, 2026 - 13:52:51
What support migrant families can get at schools in Korea
Having a Korean passport does not necessarily mean a child's family is treated exactly the same as every other Korean household under government policy. In South Korea, children whose families fall under the legal definition of a “multicultural family” may be eligible for additional language, education and childcare support. Some protections extend further: Foreign children without legal immigration status can attend school, while certain children who are undocumented long-term may qualify for t
Aug. 10, 2026 - 13:04:17
Moving to Korea with children? Here is how the school system works
For foreign national parents living in South Korea, choosing a school for their children can involve unfamiliar rules, documents and terminology. Children can enter Korea’s public school system regardless of their nationality, immigration status or Korean-language ability. Unlike Korean families, however, foreign national parents generally have to initiate the enrollment process themselves. Elementary and middle school education is compulsory in Korea, and public schools do not charge tuition. F
Aug. 5, 2026 - 13:29:25
Shoes off, please: What to consider when visiting a Korean home
Like in countries all over the world, Koreans have unique features concerning their style of living. These features are particularly on display at home, meaning it would be wise for a foreign visitor to know a thing or two about Korean homes before dropping in. From sharing food to sitting on the floor and, of course, taking off the shoes, here are some of the things Koreans do in the comfort of their own homes. While Koreans also use elevated furniture like chairs, sofas and beds, it is common
Aug. 1, 2026 - 16:00:03
Dust, heat or typhoon? How to get Korea's weather alert system
Heat and humidity make summer in Korea a trying time for people living here. Monsoon showers may be effective in bringing temperatures down, but torrential rain brings a whole range of new issues like flooding and dampness. It is advisable for residents to keep an eye on weather forecasts, as conditions can change throughout the day. Here are tips on how to get the latest weather information. The Korea Meteorological Administration provides weather outlooks for both the current moment and furthe
July 28, 2026 - 10:17:09
Finding the right visa for long-term stay in Korea
Foreign resident registration is required for most people staying in Korea for more than 90 days, but the process begins before registration with securing the appropriate status of stay. The status you need depends on why you are coming to Korea, whether to study, work, join family members or pursue another long-term purpose. It may also need to change later if your activities or circumstances change. Korea has dozens of visa categories, identified by combinations of letters and numbers. The gov
July 21, 2026 - 11:40:29
How to make your long-term stay in Korea official
South Korea is developing a reputation as a desirable destination for foreign tourists and long-term residents alike. As of 2025, both the number of foreign nationals in the country and the number of long-term foreign residents had reached all-time highs, at 2.78 million and 2.04 million, respectively. There are several steps one must take to acquire legal residency in the country, ranging from applying for a residence card to obtaining the correct type of visa. This article will go over some of
July 18, 2026 - 09:00:00
You’re my bro? The tricky rules behind Korean titles
For foreigners learning to navigate life in South Korea, few words can be as confusing as “oppa,” “hyeong” or “ssi.” They may sound simple, but Korean forms of address often carry more meaning than their English translations might suggest. A word that appears to mean “older brother” can signal age, familiarity or a desire to become closer. A word that looks like “Mr.” or “Ms.” might sound polite in one setting but rude in another. That is because in Korea, how people address one another is shape
July 10, 2026 - 13:16:19
