Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is a bustling metropolis with deep historical roots. The city is famous for several things including its N Seoul Tower and Incheon International Airport, which has a golf course and skating rink, and is often named the world’s best airport.

Seoul is a city that never sleeps, with restaurants, shopping centers and spas open for business at all hours of the day and night. Local people love their vibrant nightlife, which is concentrated in areas such as Gangnam and Itaewon. The city is home to many places of historical interest, such as shrines and palaces, and offers great variety in terms of accommodation.

Seoul has an excellent healthcare system, and expats can also choose from a range of international schools for their children. Teaching English is a popular employment opportunity for plenty of expats who arrive in the city from different parts of the world. South Korea has a reputation for being technologically advanced, and Seoul is at the forefront of this innovation. It is also a city with a great passion for locally-influenced architectural modernization, which is especially evident in the Lotte World Tower, the 123-floor skyscraper inspired by traditional Korean art.   more ...

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at South Korea and some of the social media accounts you should be following if you’re thinking of moving there.   more ...

At Expat Focus, we like to be on the lookout for resources around the web that could help prospective expats adjust to their new countries. Today, we’re taking a look at South Korea and some of the blogs that might be useful for expats there.   more ...

South Korea’s capital city, Seoul, is a sophisticated destination full of skyscrapers and modern buildings. Juxtaposed with them, however, is a mass of ancient temples, museums and palaces. This mixture of old and new is a prominent characteristic of the country.

Expats in South Korea can expect a high standard of living – the transportation system is extensive and healthcare is advanced and efficient; education receives high priority; and international schools can be found in the cities across the country.   more ...

The religious atmosphere in South Korea is rather complicated, and is also surprising to most expats. Contrary to what many expect, indigenous or traditional local religious beliefs do not account for the majority of the population’s religious affiliations. Instead, the largest religious groups are followers of what can be considered to be religious imports, in a sense – Buddhism, Protestantism, and Roman Catholicism. In fact, when you combine Protestants (18.3%) and Roman Catholics (10.9%), the Christian population turns out to be the largest, at 29.2%, compared to the Buddhist population of 22.8%, as per the 2005 census. However, according to the same count, the largest group is actually people with “no formal religion”, although this doesn’t quite mean what it would in most other countries.   more ...

South Korean food may be an acquired taste, but once you get used to it, it can be pretty addictive. The food here displays definite influences of Chinese and Japanese cuisines, but it still retains its unique flavor palette of spice and garlic combined with mild flavored ingredients such as raw fish.

Some amount of culture shock is almost inevitable, so the best thing to do is embrace the change and try to get accustomed to the new foods and beverages to ease your transition. South Korean fare generally has few bread and white flour products, and instead, rice and dishes with strong spices are common. Traditional Korean foods are low in fat but high in salt, so if you are on a low-sodium diet, you need to keep an eye on your salt intake.   more ...

South Korea is an interesting mix of old and new. Rapid modernization in the recent decades has led to the springing up of many factories, advanced medical facilities, large department stores and modern restaurants. But the country also retains its ancient charm with its street markets, traditional herbal medicine shops and temples. The following books are a must-read for expats moving to South Korea.

Learning to Think Korean: A Guide to Living and Working in Korea

Author Robert L. Kohls demystifies Korean culture for those who will be encountering it in daily life while living or working in South Korea.   more ...

So you plan to pack up and move to Korea? Great! Just remember, everything might not go according to plan. I had planned to go for one year, and told everyone I’d be home soon. Seven years later, I finally left. I also met people who didn’t last a year, and returned home after 6 months, unable to adjust to life in the Land of the Morning Calm. Based on my own years of experience, here are 5 things every expat should know when they board a plane with a one-way ticket to Seoul.

1. Listen to the Voice of Experience – Maybe

If you apply for a job, talk to as many current and former employees as you can. If a whole chorus of current employees is speaking up about problems with working conditions, late payments or other serious issues – listen to them, and look for another position.   more ...

by Lindsey Coulter

Most new expats arriving in South Korea will do so via Incheon International, a sprawling complex of futuristic terminals and expansive runways. Incheon International is about as technologically advanced as an airport can get, a theme repeated across the country from classrooms to supermarkets.

When this modern, user-friendly Korea is an expat’s first introduction to the country, it’s easy to believe everything else will be a snap. Signs are posted in a variety of languages, everyone speaks English, both Dunkin Donuts and a Baskin Robbins are right at hand and even the train system is a breeze. Newly minted expats depart from the airport feeling generally confident. It’s only when they’re on the ground, forced to make life work in a new land and language that things get a little more interesting.   more ...

Upon the late 2011 death of North Korean despot Kim Jong-Il, and the ascendancy of his son Kim Jong-Eun to the leadership of the so-called "hermit kingdom", commentators throughout the free world began to speak hopefully of the possible reforms and fresh outlook that the "Great Successor" (and world's youngest head of state) might bring to that unhappy land. Early signs indicated that the newest member of the Kim dynasty would have a friendlier view towards the West: he was allegedly educated in Switzerland, had a passion for such non-despotic activities as playing basketball (even inviting former Chicago Bulls star Dennis Rodman to the country in recent weeks), and broke with state broadcasting conventions by allowing Disney characters to be shown on national television.

Unfortunately, it was the more skeptical observers, who warned that the boy-king's deceptively goofy and naïve public image did not herald any real change for the country, who would be proven right. Beginning in March of this year, Kim almost casually declared a "state of war" with South Korea (though any major troop movements have yet to be seen), and renewed his forefathers' threats to turn the United States into a sea of fire.   more ...