Work in South Korea for foreigners

There is, of all doubts, work in South Korea, but can a foreigner get a well-paid job? How likely is it to get a job for professionals with minimal knowledge of the Korean language? First of all, it is worth asking how the skills that you own in Korea are in demand. It is possible to look for a job in specialties that simply do not exist in this country for a very long time. For example, oilmen, astronauts and polar explorers there simply has nothing to do there.

Work for Russians

There is, of course, work for Russians in South Korea, but you don’t have to expect that you can get a job as an announcer on radio, television or in the Korean National Ensemble.

The main scourge of all foreigners is lack of knowledge of the Korean language, even at an elementary everyday level. Russians are no exception. Koreans are not eager to delve into the language of foreigners.

Highly paid work in South Korea without knowledge of the Korean language at a fairly high level is almost impossible. If you need active communication with the Koreans in the process, you will have many problems.

Without knowledge of the language you cannot work:

• a doctor;
• seller;
• plumber;
• journalist, etc.

In very rare cases, excellent knowledge of the native (non-Korean) language can be an advantage. You may be invited to teach a foreign language as a native speaker.

Restrictions for foreigners

Work in South Korea for foreign specialists and workers of many specialties is associated with a number of restrictions.

These include:

1. The maximum period of stay in the country should not exceed five years.
2. It is not possible to obtain permanent resident status (permanent residence).
3. It is impossible to get a job in government offices or hold positions.
4. Foreigners cannot serve in the armed forces of South Korea.
5. Lack of education in Korea will make it difficult for lawyers and teachers to find work. An exception is made by graduates of well-known educational institutions, such as Oxford, who are valued higher than specialists with a Korean education.
6. Foreigners are not very familiar with the specifics of the Korean trading market and are not very useful in such areas as advertising, middle management, marketing or finance.

What points to consider

Work in South Korea is provided to foreigners, taking into account some features that are best to be familiarized with in advance.

You should ask:

1. Is there a specialty that you own in South Korea?
2. The job description should not be limited by your race or appearance.
3. Is knowledge of Korean required at a certain level?
4. Is Korean citizenship mandatory?
5. Is a Korean education required or not?
6. Is knowledge of Korean business specifics required in a particular field?

Jobs you can count on without knowing the Korean language

Upon closer examination, it turns out that for foreigners without knowledge of the language, the ideal job options that they can really count on are:

• any working specialties that do not require active interaction with other workers;
• highly specialized mid-level technical personnel and engineers;
• specialists representing South Korea in other countries;
• Models
• non-conversational actors;
• representatives of foreign states in South Korea;
• sailors.

This is a list of the main job opportunities for foreigners in South Korea.

South Korea Job Reviews

Even if your specialty could potentially be in high demand in Korea, do not forget about the local specifics.

A foreigner costs more to a Korean employer, and there are more problems with him. It is necessary:

• make mutual efforts to build mutual understanding;
• go through the formalization process (or constantly take risks if you work illegally).

What is attractive or dangerous work in South Korea? Reviews of foreigners who have worked for some time in this country allow us to analyze the advantages and disadvantages. All celebrate immersion in the unique flavor of the original Korean culture. For lovers of thrills, this is a definite advantage, but in most cases the Korean will get more of you for a similar job. A working day can last up to 15 hours. One day off per week is possible, and sometimes it takes 6 hours to work on a pre-agreed day off. Cases of fraud with payment or payment of amounts less than agreed are also not uncommon.

Where and how to work, everyone chooses independently. It is advisable to collect and analyze as much information as possible before deciding to go to work in another country. Formal employment is much safer than illegal stay in any country.