Pros and Cons of Moving to South Korea

Life in South Korea provides plenty of unique opportunities, sometimes at a cost. Expats who are flexible and open-minded should easily adjust to the change of scenery.

Below are a few pros and cons of moving to South Korea. 

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Accommodation in South Korea

+ PRO: Accommodation is often pre-arranged

It is often the case that expats moving to South Korea with a job contract already in place will have an apartment provided and paid for. Expats will then only need to worry about their utility bills. 

+ PRO: Futuristic locks

Many apartments and homes have done away with traditional locks and keys and use electronic locks that require either a magnetic door key or a keypad combo instead.

- CON: Cramped, boring and expensive

If renting in Seoul, expats should expect apartments to be tiny by Western standards. The further away from the city an expat moves, the more spacious accommodation becomes. In addition, apartments are almost exclusively built in blocks with little to no architectural variation. Despite this, rental prices, especially in Seoul, will be high for a small space, and deposits are typically much steeper than in other countries.

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Safety in South Korea

+ PRO: Little to no crime

There are low crime rates throughout South Korea. While expats still need to use common sense, crime won't be a serious concern.

- CON: Technically still at war 

While North Korea and South Korea haven't engaged in open hostilities since the ceasefire of the Korean War, they are still technically at war with each other. It’s advisable to keep up with news regarding the two neighbours and know where the nearest embassy is, should anything occur.

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Cuisine in South Korea

+ PRO: Abundance of traditional fare

Even in the tiniest towns, there will always be one or more traditional Korean restaurants to satisfy an expat’s appetite for authentic dishes. The fierce competition also means a quality Korean meal is always affordable.

- CON: Lack of Western comfort foods

Unless an expat is living in an urban area, it’s difficult to find food that isn’t Korean or Asian-inspired. More exotic, foreign cuisine options are hard to come by outside the city and are often disappointing in quality.

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Culture shock in South Korea

+ PRO: Tight-knit expat communities

Making friends with other foreigners helps lessen any initial culture shock expats may feel. In Seoul especially, there are many expat meet-ups and parties with the aim of bringing foreigners together. In smaller cities, groups meet up regularly and are generally very welcoming of newcomers.

- CON: Staring

Expats should anticipate being stared at while in public. Older Koreans, especially, will not be shy about watching foreigners. This is often out of genuine curiosity, however, and not any ill will.

- CON: Shy locals

South Koreans are often unable to speak much English or are too shy to attempt it for fear of making mistakes. While there are exceptions, it’s common for locals to completely shy away from answering a question for lack of English skills.

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Work culture in South Korea

+ PRO: Friendly work environment

Koreans value their interpersonal relationships with co-workers and will prioritise getting to know each other. The standard corporate atmosphere can be highly social, with employees often going drinking and dining after work, followed by a trip to a karaoke bar. 

- CON: Unpredictable scheduling

Koreans will often make last-minute adjustments to meetings and schedules, and expats will need a certain degree of flexibility to accommodate this. Expect unplanned meetings, projects and cancellations, as well as obligatory social gatherings after work, which are only announced shortly before the day's end.

- CON: High-pressure work environment

There is a lot of pressure put on employees working in South Korea to perform. This often leads to employees working longer hours than they may be contracted for. Taking sick leave is also frowned upon, as it shows a lack of commitment to one's job. It isn't uncommon to see people coming in for work or children going to school while sick.

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Cost of living in South Korea

+ PRO Cheap basic amenities

The cost of living in South Korea varies depending on the city one lives in. That said, groceries, utilities, public transport and even alcohol are all reasonably priced compared to the prices in most Western countries. Most expats find living in South Korea an efficient way to save money.

- CON: Expensive non-essentials

There's an expectation in South Korea to follow the newest trends, dress well and have the latest gadgets. But, these items tend to be pricey.

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Education and schools in South Korea

+ PRO: Excellent education

Public Korean primary and secondary schools are generally quite good and focus on science and mathematics, as well as English and Korean. Many schools also employ native English speakers to teach the language, even in rural areas. Hagwons, private after-school institutions, are extremely popular and rigorous as well.

- CON: Stressful atmosphere

South Korea has a notably high suicide rate, partially due to the stressful atmosphere surrounding education. Students account for many of these suicides as they are constantly pressured to perform better and study longer to get into a reputable university.

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Healthcare in South Korea

+ PRO: Cheap public healthcare

If an expat is employed, they will be covered by the public health care system, which costs little and offers excellent medical care. In urban areas, many doctors will also speak English, although bringing a friend to translate is still advisable.

- CON: Travel/wait time

If an expat does not live in an urban area, they may need to make a long trip to see a doctor at one of the official university hospitals. Because these hospitals are also centrally located, waiting times for treatment can be inconvenient but not outrageous.