South Korea expat guide

Indoor smoking is more controlled in public-facing spaces than in some neighboring countries. Law vibe is formal and orderly.

Minimum budget: rural $900/mo, urban $1400/mo. Medical insurance: $1,100/yr.

Auto: A Russian license alone is not enough for most rental desks; bring a valid IDP that matches accepted convention rules plus passport. Rentals are about $45-90/day for Avante, K3/Sonata class, with EVs and automatics common. No practical land-border rental travel: North Korea is closed, and ferries do not make cross-border rental driving realistic.

Smoking: Indoor smoking is more controlled in public-facing spaces than in some neighboring countries.

Police / rules: Police and public-order vibe is formal and rule-aware: expect visible order and some bureaucratic seriousness, with less casual flexibility than in softer places.

Zones

• Seoul Metro Belt: Dense high-tech city life, commuter towns, apartment towers and a fast polished tempo. Four-season city climate with hot humid summers 26–33°C and cold winters -8–5°C, strong seasonal contrast.
• Mountain & Coastal South: Greener southern cities, port life, island resorts, heritage towns and seasonal mountains. Greener coastal regions with milder winters and slightly warmer, less extreme seasonal swings.