South Korea experienced a financially devastating crisis in 1997. However, its economy has been steadily progressing ever since and continues to grow today.
Following the Asian Financial Crisis of ´97, many Westerners fled the area and took with them the important resource of language. Due to the shortage, English-speaking foreigners are highly sought after in every occupational field. Whether you speak English or not, it is to your advantage to have a high school diploma and a college degree in order to heighten your marketability.
Typical industries and sectors
South Korea is one of the most technologically advanced and digitally linked countries in the world. As a leading exporter of automobiles, cell phones, and other high-tech devices and a growing competitor in information technology, specialists in these fields are needed in Korea.
Seoul, the capital and largest city in Korea, is the center of everything from economy and politics to culture and international business. Some of the world’s largest companies are headquartered in Seoul and its surrounding area.
Aside from its agricultural aspect, most of South Korea’s economic activity takes place in the capital city. It is also easier to find jobs as an English tutor/teacher in big cities like Seoul where the pay tends to go up in proportion to the cost of living. For those looking for work outside of Seoul, other metropolitan cities in South Korea include Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, Incheon, and Ulsan.
Employment trends
Due to the high demand of native English speakers in South Korea, expatriates can easily find jobs tutoring and teaching English. Translators for any industry are also sought after. Most foreigners who choose to teach English in Korea end up working at "hakwons" (private foreign language institutes).
Other popular places to utilize your language skills include:
- university language institutes
- corporate in-house language exchange programs
- private tutoring courses
- editing/public relations at an advertising company
- government/private research institutes
Current employment trends show a favorable lean towards certain jobs in:
Finance:
- fund managers
- foreign exchange dealers
- insurance brokers
- insurance specialists
- securities analysts
- stockbrokers
Information technology:
- database administrators
- information system analysts
- Internet consultants
- IT system consultants
- network specialists
- programmers
- web designers
- web masters
International business:
- foreign market researchers
- international project managers
- international outsourcing specialists
- copyright specialists
- database specialists
- marketers
- merchandisers
- microelectronics specialists
- robotic specialists
and especially in marketing:
- direct marketing system designers
- IR specialists