- Vladimir Rostev
InterNations not only helped me finding great business contacts but it moreover helped my family to quickly settle in.
Irish expats moving to South Korea: Your questions answered
If you’re a new or soon-to-be expat in South Korea, you probably aren’t quite sure yet what it will be like. That’s why we gathered the answers to some key questions you may have about life in South Korea. If you want to ask more specific questions — or even share your own tips — join InterNations! You’ll be part of a community of new and experienced expats who love to help each other out.
What are the most common nationalities in South Korea? As an expat in South Korea, you'll meet people from many different cultures (especially if you're an InterNations member!) The top nationalities in the InterNations Communities in South Korea currently are:
- Americans
- Canadians
- British
- Indians
Which cities are most popular among expats in South Korea? Some cities attract more expats than others. These are the cities with the largest expat communities in South Korea:
- Seoul
- Busan
- Incheon
How much rent do expats pay in South Korea? Your personal situation plays a role here. Single expats spend on average 495 USD on their accommodation per month, while expat families spend around 1.455 USD. And of course, rents can also vary greatly depending on the location and city within South Korea.
To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some rent averages for the most popular cities in South Korea.
Average rent in Seoul
- Single expats: 811 USD
- Expat families: 2.645 USD
Average rent in Busan
- Single expats: 550 USD
- Expat families: 1.200 USD
Average rent in Incheon
- Single expats: 278 USD
- Expat families: 1.213 USD
How safe is South Korea? You may be wondering about safety. In general people perceive their personal safety situation in South Korea as very safe. People rate the risk of falling victim to petty crime (such as pickpocketing or minor theft) as very low. They consider the chance of being the victim of violent crime (including mugging) very low. And, they rate confidence in the police force and related local authorities as very high.
How safe is South Korea for women? Female expats rated the safety situation in South Korea as very safe. This is based on the feedback of expat women living in South Korea (rather than actual crime statistics). So obviously this can be highly subjective and depends on factors such as where people live.
Meet other Irish at our events in South Korea
Attend our monthly events and activities for Irish expatriates to get to know like-minded expatriates in real life.
Want to meet other Irish at our events?
Why Irish expats move abroad (& how they like it)
Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our Irish members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.
Meet other Irish in South Korea
Our Global Partners
Pursue your hobbies with amazing new friends
Do you want to continue with your hobbies — or discover new ones — while living abroad? There’s a variety of InterNations Groups you can join, including everything from sightseeing to hiking. These are run by dedicated Consuls with at least one activity each month, such as dinners in the cities finest restaurants, sports or outings with other expats to explore all that your new home has to offer.
Find other Irish to share your hobbies with
Find Tips and Advice on South Korea from Irish Expats
Of course, expat living in South Korea is not just about shipping your belongings and filing in some bureaucratic papers. Regular socializing with fellow Irish is an essential part of expat life and helps getting accustomed to the South Korean way of life and mentality. InterNations helps you connect and meet up with other Irish in South Korea, residing in Seoul, Busan, Incheon and many other places throughout the country. Just take a look at our group of Irish in Seoul.
If you ever wish to have a chat in your native language, discover where to shop for Irish food or discuss your favorite sports team's latest match, become a member of the South Korean InterNations Community:
- Look up our top quality network to get to know open-minded expats from Ireland in South Korea.
- Obtain and share insider tips in our South Korea Expat Forums – e.g. how to hire a babysitter fluent in your native tongue for your children or where to get Irish stew in Busan.
- Search the InterNations Places database for South Korea to get information on institutions from your home country, including the Irish embassy.
From the urban sprawl of Gyeonggi to such popular nature places as Boseong Tea Field, we’ll help you connect with supportive and friendly Irish expats in South Korea.
Join Our Expat Activities and Mingle with Fellow Irish in South Korea
Moreover, please feel free to attend our regular expat events and activities in South Korea. Our get-togethers are very diverse and range from a cozy gathering to enjoy the traditional South Korean kimchi, to big expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in Seoul’s best locations. You can also participate in one of our expat trips to go and see Korea's honeymoon island of Jeju as well as other beautiful landmarks in South Korea.
Our meet-ups and activities are a great opportunity to mingle with expats from Ireland and various other countries in a casual setting. Interested? Just sign up and you’ll soon be receiving a cordial Dia duit from our Irish living in South Korea!
- Vladimir Rostev
InterNations not only helped me finding great business contacts but it moreover helped my family to quickly settle in.
- Mia Lindberg
Getting to know other Scandinavian women was so easy with InterNations. We quickly got connected and became friends.
