Everything about
life in South Korea

The very first thing you need to do to live in South Korea is open a bank account. Take your ID (either your resident registration card or temporary residence ID) and your personal stamp (or you can just use your signature) to a nearby bank branch. Just tell the staff, "I would like to open a bank account," and they will guide you through the process.

To do online banking or print out official government documents, you will need a "Joint Certificate" (Gong-dong-in-jeung-seo), which acts as your digital ID online. After you apply for internet banking at the bank branch, you can easily issue this certificate on your smartphone app or computer.

Your local Hana Center can help you with writing a resume, preparing for interviews, and connecting you with actual companies. It is highly recommended to be open and honest with your dedicated counselor about your skills, interests, and the type of job you are hoping to find.

By visiting one of the many Employment and Welfare Plus Centers located across the country, you can access comprehensive job support services. They provide not only unemployment benefits but also personalized job counseling and up-to-date hiring information.

This is the very first place you need to go after moving to report your new address. Beyond that, it is the closest government branch where you can get various official certificates and apply for welfare services.

You can buy daily necessities at affordable prices at large supermarkets like E-Mart, Homeplus, and Lotte Mart. Convenience stores (like CU and GS25) are open 24 hours a day; besides buying goods, they offer a variety of services including paying utility bills and shipping packages.