About The Korea Manual
The Korea Manual is a practical guide for people who live in Korea without being Korean — students, workers, spouses, long-term travelers and anyone who has stood in a bank or phone shop and been told “it’s not possible” with no explanation.
We write about the parts of Korean life that are hard to find in your own language: opening a bank account, getting a phone number and passing identity verification, visas and the Alien Registration Card, health insurance, taxes, housing contracts and everyday paperwork.
How we work
- Based in Busan. The site is run from Busan, South Korea, by a small team that deals with Korean banks, offices and government portals every week.
- Official sources first. Every guide is checked against the relevant Korean institution — banks, the Ministry of Justice (Hi Korea), the National Health Insurance Service, the National Tax Service — and we link to those sources so you can verify the details yourself.
- Updated, not just published. Rules in Korea change often. Each guide shows the year it was last reviewed, and we revise guides when procedures change.
- Several languages. Core guides are available in English, Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese so you can read them in the language you are most comfortable with.
What we are not
We are not lawyers, immigration agents or a bank. Our guides explain what usually happens and what to prepare; they are not legal advice. For decisions about your visa status or money, confirm with the institution involved.
Questions, corrections or a topic you want covered? Use the Contact page.