Welcome to the ultimate Complete Guide to South Korea: Visa, Travel, Investment & Important Facts – where K-pop meets 5,000 years of history, bullet trains glide at 305 km/h, and Samsung skyscrapers tower beside ancient palaces. Enjoy 90-day visa-free entry + K-ETA for 110+ nationalities, explore neon-lit Seoul, volcanic Jeju Island, and the DMZ’s eerie silence, while tapping into the world’s 10th-largest economy (2.4% growth 2025) driven by chips, EVs, and biotech under President Yoon Suk Yeol (acting after impeachment). This 2025 edition blends real traveler stories with the latest data to make your South Korea adventure seamless and profitable.
From Gangnam glamour to Jeju’s black-sand beaches, South Korea welcomed 17.5 million tourists in 2024 and targets 20 million in 2025. Home to the world’s fastest internet (average 110 Mbps), flawless public transport, and a safety ranking higher than Japan, it’s no wonder Seoul consistently ranks among the top 10 most-visited cities globally.
Citizens of 110+ countries enjoy 90-day visa-free entry. K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) is mandatory for visa-exempt travelers (₩10,000, valid 3 years, apply 72h before flight). Others can get eVisa online. Extensions possible for genuine reasons.
Jeju Island – Korea’s Tropical Paradise
100% foreign ownership allowed. Free Economic Zones (Incheon, Busan-Jinhae, Gwangyang) offer 0–15% corporate tax for 5–10 years. Key sectors: semiconductors (Samsung, SK Hynix), EV batteries (LG Energy, Samsung SDI), biotech, K-content.
GDP growth: 2.4% | World’s 10th-largest economy | Exports: $700B+
| Sector | Growth Driver |
|---|---|
| Semiconductors | AI & data centers boom |
| EV Batteries | LG/Samsung global #1-2 |
| K-Content | Netflix, Disney+ deals |
| Tourism | 20M target 2025 |
Best options: eSIM via Airalo or airport booths (KT Olleh, SK, LG U+). Unlimited data plans ₩30,000–60,000/month. Free Wi-Fi almost everywhere.
Yoon Suk Yeol (acting after December 2024 impeachment). Snap election expected March 2025.
Vibrant presidential democracy. High transparency, active civil society, and peaceful power transfers.
Incheon (world’s best airport 12 years running) and Gimpo hubs. Helicopter tours over Seoul skyline and Jeju available. Private charters growing fast.
Bow slightly, remove shoes indoors, no tipping. Must-try: Korean BBQ, kimchi, bibimbap, street tteokbokki, makgeolli. K-pop concerts and baseball games are cultural rites.
South Korea Regions – Seoul, Jeju, Busan, Gyeongju, DMZ
This Complete Guide to South Korea: Visa, Travel, Investment & Important Facts proves why Korea is unmatched – futuristic yet deeply traditional, safe, efficient, and endlessly exciting.
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