Working in South Korea — Visas, Corporate Culture, Salaries

My First Day at the Office: The Culture Shock

When I signed my first contract at a Korean 회사 (hoesa — company) 12 years ago, I thought I understood the system. I had read articles about hierarchy, overtime, company dinners. Nothing prepared me for the reality of the Korean 직장 (jikjang — workplace).

The first evening, at 7pm, I stood up to leave. My 선배 (seonbae — senior colleague) looked at me with wide eyes: « 오늘 회식 있어요 » (oneul hoesik isseoyo — There's a company dinner tonight). It wasn't an invitation — it was an announcement. My initiation into Korean professional life had just begun.

회사, 직장, 월급: The Basics of Work in Korea

회사 (hoesa) — The Company

The term 회사 (hoesa) means company, corporation. In Korea, the company isn't just a workplace: it's often a second family, with all that implies — positive (solidarity, team spirit) and negative (encroachment on private life, social pressure).

직장 (jikjang) — The Workplace

직장 (jikjang) literally means "place of work." It's the office, the factory, the school — wherever you carry out your activity. When a Korean asks « 직장이 어디예요? » (jikjangi eodieyo?), they want to know where you work (company or sector).

월급 (wolgeup) — Monthly Salary

월급 (wolgeup) is the monthly salary. In Korea, people almost always speak in annual salary (연봉, yeonbong) for full-time positions, but payment is monthly. The 25th of each month is traditionally payday in many companies.

야근 (yageon) — Overtime Culture

야근 (yageon) means "night work" — overtime. Korea long had the OECD's longest working hours. I lived through 60-70 hour weeks in my early years. The boss left at 10pm? Nobody moved before that.

The 주52시간 (ju osibi sigan) Reform

In 2018, the government imposed 주52시간 (ju osibi sigan — 52-hour week): maximum 52 hours per week (40 regular + 12 overtime). Companies with over 300 employees were first affected, then the requirement expanded.

Result: hours decreased in large companies. But in SMEs and startups, 야근 culture remains tenacious. And remote work has complicated tracking: many continue working evenings from home, uncounted.

회식 (hoesik) — The Mandatory Company Dinner

회식 (hoesik) is one of the pillars of Korean corporate culture. Literally "company meal," it's a dinner (or lunch) organized by the company, often with alcohol. And "often" is an understatement: soju flows freely.

Why 회식 Matters So Much

회식 isn't optional. It's where relationships are built, where 선배 (seonbae) and 후배 (hubae — junior) get to know each other outside the office. Refusing a 회식 risks being seen as someone who doesn't play for the team. I learned the hard way that a polite "no" could be misinterpreted.

The Unwritten Rules

• You don't leave before the boss (사장님, sajangnim) or the highest-ranked person
• You pour drinks for seniors, never your own
• You turn your head when toasting in front of a superior
• 2차 (icha — second round) at noraebang or a bar is common

선배와 후배 (seonbae wa hubae) — Office Hierarchy

The 선배 (seonbae) / 후배 (hubae) system structures all professional relationships. The 선배 is whoever joined before you (at the company, university, or even the club). The 후배 is the junior.

Concrete Implications

A 후배 uses polite speech (존댓말) with their 선배. The 선배 can use more casual language. The 후배 offers to carry things, serves coffee, apologizes first in case of conflict. It's a hierarchy based on seniority, not just position.

In my early years, I had to get used to calling 25-year-old colleagues « 선배님 » (seonbaenim) because they had arrived six months before me. Today, as a senior, I receive the same respect — and I try to make it bearable for juniors.

Work Visas: E-7, E-2, D-8

E-7 — Professional Visa

The E-7 visa is the work visa for qualified professionals. Your employer must prove they couldn't find a Korean for the position. Eligible sectors: IT, engineering, design, finance, etc. Minimum salary often required (varies by field).

E-2 — English Teaching

The E-2 visa is the most common for foreigners: teaching English (or another language) in hagwons (학원) or public schools. University degree + English-speaking passport (or equivalent) required. It's the entry door for many expats.

D-8 — Business Creation

The D-8 visa allows creating or managing a company in Korea. Minimum capital required, business plan, etc. Ideal for entrepreneurs who want to settle.

Average Salaries by Sector (2026, in ₩)

1M₩ ≈ $770 / €700. Hagwon salaries are often given monthly.

Teaching English: A Common Path for Foreigners

English teaching remains the most accessible path. 학원 (hagwon — private institutes) recruit constantly. Typical salary: 2.1 to 2.8 million ₩/month for 25-30 teaching hours. Housing often provided (or allowance).

Public schools via the EPIK program offer more stability but comparable salaries. The E-2 visa is mandatory. Warning: some hagwons have bad reputations (late payments, conditions). Check reviews and contracts.

이력서 (ireokseo) — The Korean CV

The 이력서 (ireokseo) is the Korean CV. Format often imposed (standard form). Key elements:

• 사진 (sajin) — Photo required (unlike in the West)
• 학력 (hakryeok) — Detailed educational background
• 경력 (gyeongryeok) — Work experience
• 자기소개서 (jagisogeseo) — Cover letter, often very personal

Tip: have a Korean proofread it. The phrasing and level of detail expected differ greatly from the West. And yes, age and photo matter — Korea is evolving but these practices persist.

Work-Life Balance: A Slow Evolution

워라밸 (woraebael — work-life balance, transcription of the English term) has become a hot topic. The MZ generation (millennials/Gen Z) refuses to sacrifice their life for the company. Reforms and the pandemic have accelerated remote work.

But in many SMEs, presenteeism culture remains strong. Leaving at 6pm sharp can be frowned upon. Leave (연차, yeoncha) is often underused — due to pressure or sense of duty. I have Korean friends with dozens of unused days.

Workplace Vocabulary

Useful Workplace Phrases

• 오늘 야근 해요? (oneul yageon haeyo?) — "Working overtime tonight?"
• 회식 어디서 해요? (hoesik eodiseo haeyo?) — "Where's the 회식?"
• 선배님, 한잔 드릴까요? (seonbaenim, hanjan deurilkkayo?) — "선배, shall I pour you a drink?"
• 월급날이 언제예요? (wolgeupnari eonjeyeyo?) — "When's payday?"
• 퇴근했어요 (toegeunhaesseoyo) — "I'm done for the day" (when leaving)

My Advice After 12 Years

Working in Korea can be intense. 회식, 야근, hierarchy — everything takes time to adapt to. But it's also a formative experience. I learned to navigate the codes, to respect traditions without losing myself, and to find more modern companies when I needed them.

Mastering Korean changes everything: in meetings, at 회식, with colleagues. Relationships are built through the language.

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