There is no official nationwide “standard retainer” that private lawyers in South Korea must charge. Private legal fees are generally agreed between the lawyer and client, so the useful question is not whether a quote matches a supposed Korean average. It is whether the fee, scope, taxes, extra costs, and exit terms are clear enough … Read more
Private health insurance can protect you during the period before Korean National Health Insurance begins, but the first thing to verify is whether you actually have an NHIS waiting period. The widely repeated “six-month rule” applies to many non-employed foreign residents entering the regional insurance system. It does not apply in the same way to … Read more
International school tuition in Korea is only the largest line on the bill, not the whole bill. For the 2026–27 school year, major Seoul-area schools publish separate charges for applications, registration or entrance, deposits, buses, meals, examinations, learning support and other services. Some schools also divide tuition between Korean won and U.S. dollars. For a … Read more
Importing Korean cosmetics into the United States is no longer a matter of buying compliant K-beauty products in Seoul, adding an English sticker, and paying ordinary freight. The expensive question is not simply, “Is this cosmetic legal in Korea?” It is: What is this product under U.S. law, who is responsible for it, and what … Read more
A foreign company can open a business bank account in South Korea, but the bank will not look only at the passport of the person standing at the counter. It must be able to identify the company, the person authorized to act for it, the natural persons who ultimately own or control it, and the … Read more
Korean rules, translated into decisions. Korea Civil Lawsuit Cost for Foreigners: Court Fees, Lawyers and Hidden Expenses A civil lawsuit in South Korea does not come with one neat price tag. The court filing fee is calculated mainly from the value of the claim, but that is only the first layer. Service fees, lawyers, Korean … Read more
Korea Legal Cost Guide for Foreigners English-Speaking Lawyer in Korea: Consultation Fees and Costs Hiring an English-speaking lawyer in Korea does not come with a single official price list. Some firms charge a fixed consultation fee, others bill by time, and full representation may be quoted as a separate retainer or fixed fee. The number … Read more
Health & Insurance in South Korea Korea Private Health Insurance Cost for Expats Over 50: What Actually Changes the Quote If you are over 50 and living in South Korea, the dangerous question is not simply, “How much is private health insurance?” The useful question is: what will this policy pay after Korean public health … Read more
Korean rules, translated into decisions. Korea Health Insurance Claim Denied: Appeal Process for Foreigners A Korean health insurance denial can mean several very different things. You may have an adverse decision from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), a decision involving the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA), or simply a hospital bill marked … Read more
Korean rules, translated into decisions Korea PIPA Compliance for Foreign Companies: Penalties, Data Transfers and Breach Response A company does not need to be incorporated in South Korea before Korean privacy law becomes relevant. The Personal Information Protection Commission’s guidance says the Personal Information Protection Act, usually called PIPA, may apply when an overseas business … Read more