Digital Nomads

Living in South Korea as a Digital Nomad

The practical side of living in South Korea as a remote worker: officetels and goshiwons, SIMs and the apps you need, getting around, healthcare, community, Korean etiquette and staying safe.

Korea is efficient, safe and fast-moving, and almost everything runs on apps. A few setup steps make daily life much easier. This page covers the practical details.

Renting a Place#

  • Officetels: small furnished studios in mixed-use buildings, the most common nomad option.
  • Goshiwons: tiny, cheap furnished rooms, often with shared kitchens.
  • Share houses and Airbnb for short stays.
  • Normal leases need large deposits; agents (budongsan) can help find short leases.

Phones and Apps#

  • SIMs: prepaid SIMs and eSIMs from KT, SK Telecom and LG U+ resellers work with a passport.
  • Apps worth having: Naver Map or KakaoMap (essential; Google Maps works poorly), KakaoTalk (everyone uses it), Kakao T (taxis), Coupang (delivery), Papago (translation).

Getting Around#

Seoul and Busan have superb metros; buses fill the gaps. Use T-money. KTX trains link the big cities. Taxis are cheap; book with Kakao T.

Healthcare#

Korean hospitals and clinics are excellent, fast and affordable, with international clinics in big cities. Pharmacies are everywhere. For emergencies, call 119. Get health insurance.

Community and Meeting People#

Seoul has a large international community, with language exchanges, coworking events, hiking groups and meetups. Busan’s scene is smaller. Learning Hangul and some Korean helps a lot.

Etiquette#

  • Respect for elders matters: use two hands when giving or receiving.
  • Drinking culture is social; pour for others, not yourself.
  • Quiet on public transport, and give priority seats to the elderly.
  • Tipping isn’t expected.

Safety#

Korea is very safe, with low crime. Traffic, especially scooters on pavements, is the main day-to-day risk, along with summer heat and typhoons.

Emergency numbers: 112 for police and 119 for fire and ambulance. The 1330 tourist helpline speaks English.

Everyday Life FAQs#

How do I find a place to live in Korea as a digital nomad?

Officetels, goshiwons, share houses and Airbnb avoid the large deposits of normal leases.

Does Google Maps work in Korea?

Poorly. Use Naver Map or KakaoMap.

Is South Korea safe for digital nomads?

Yes. Crime is very low.

Do I need to speak Korean?

Not in central Seoul, but basic Korean and the ability to read Hangul help a lot.