Food and Drink
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Sinsa-dong (near the university) for cheap student bars, or 'Makgeolli Alley' in Samcheon-dong.
- Local Brewery
- Nomadic Brewing Co. (Gaeksa). Craft beers from ₩8,000.
- Wine Bars
- Gump (Gaek-ri-dan-gil). Trendy atmosphere with natural wine selections.
- Street Food Stalls
- Jeonju Hanok Village Night Market (Friday/Saturday). Cheese grilled skewers are ₩4,000.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Yelmo (Mexican food) or Masala (Indian) in the downtown area.
- Best Food Delivery App
- Baedal Minjok (Baemin) or Coupang Eats.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Jeonju Bibimbap at 가족회관 (Gajok Hoegwan) - ₩15,000.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Pulkkot Sesang (풀꽃세상) - High-end vegetarian buffet focusing on local mountain greens.
- Best Dessert Spots
- PNB Pungnyeon Jegwa for their famous 'Choco Pie' (₩2,500).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Nambu Market (Traditional market). Great for cheap produce and ₩6,000 blood sausage soup.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Coupang (Rocket Delivery for overnight shipping).
- Grocery Delivery
- Market Kurly for high-end groceries or SSG.com.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Gyeonggijeon Shrine (Portrait of King Taejo) - Entry ₩3,000.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Jeonju National Museum (Free entry; artifacts from the Baekje Kingdom).
- Historical Sites
- Pungnammun Gate (The last remaining gate of the city's fortress wall).
- Religious Sites
- Jeondong Cathedral (Stunning Romanesque architecture built in 1914).
- Annual Events
- Jeonju International Film Festival (JIFF) held every May.
- Cultural Districts
- Jeonju Hanok Village (Over 800 traditional houses).
- Theater Venues
- Sori Arts Center of Jeollabuk-do for traditional Korean music performances.
- Local Markets
- Nambu Market; visit on weekend nights for the 'Night Market' food stalls.
- Music Scene
- Deepin (Jazz bar/Live music) in the Gaeksa area.
- Street Art
- Jaman Mural Village, located on a hill overlooking the Hanok Village.
- Cooking Classes
- Jeonju Korean Food Culture Center (Bibimbap making classes ₩20,000).
- Art Galleries
- Gyodong Art Center (Located within the Hanok Village).
- Historic Buildings
- Omokdae Pavillion (Historical lookout where King Taejo celebrated a victory).
- Local Heritage
- Hanji (Traditional Mulberry Paper) - visit the Hanji Museum for paper-making workshops.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Deokjin Park (Famous for massive lotus ponds in summer).
- National Parks Nearby
- Moaksan Provincial Park (40 mins away) or Maisan Provincial Park (50 mins away).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Jeonju-cheon Stream Path. Miles of paved trails for biking and running.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Martyr's Mountain (Chiamisan) for the best sunset view over the city.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Ajung Lake (Man-made reservoir surrounded by walking wooden decks).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Wanju Hills (20 mins drive) - several 'Glamping' sites allow private fire pits.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- CU or GS25 Convenience Store Delivery (Cheap and accessible 24/7).
- Tech Repair Services
- Samsung Service Center (Hyoja-dong) or LG Service Center (Deokjin-gu).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Jeonju City Table Tennis Hall (Multiple public locations, approx ₩5,000/hour).
- Language Classes
- Jeonju University Korean Language Institute (10-week courses).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Jeonju City Library 'Kkot-sang-i' - A beautiful branch specializing in art and design.
- Community Centers
- Jeonju Cultural Foundation (Offers various workshops and community grants).
- Gaming Lounges
- PC Bangs are everywhere; 'Raon PC' in the university district (₩1,500/hour).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None in Jeonju (Legal gambling for foreigners is in Seoul or Jeju).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ₩3,200,000 per m² (e.g., 33 m² = ₩105,600,000 / $80,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ₩2,100,000 per m² (e.g., 33 m² = ₩69,300,000 / $52,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ₩3,000,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = ₩150,000,000 / $114,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ₩2,000,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = ₩100,000,000 / $76,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ₩2,800,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₩224,000,000 / $170,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ₩1,800,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ₩144,000,000 / $110,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 9% to 24% depending on income brackets.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Standard rate 15.4% (including local income tax).
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents (staying >183 days).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% for income over 1 billion KRW.
- VAT
- 10% (usually included in the displayed price).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to foreign companies in low-tax jurisdictions.
- Property Tax
- Annual property tax 0.1% to 0.4% based on government-evaluated value.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Acquisition tax between 1% and 3% based on the price of the property.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- F-1-D 'Workation' visa (introduced 2024) allows 1-year stay; income must be 2x GNI.
Essentials
- City
- Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea
- Population
- 650,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 400 Mbps; 5G coverage is ubiquitous across the city center.
- Currency & Banking
- 1,000 KRW ≈ 0.75 USD. Local currency is South Korean Won (₩).
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, though most locals use filtered water dispensers (Puris) or boil it.
- Power
- 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type C and F sockets.
- SIM Card
- SK Telecom, KT, or LG U+. Pre-paid SIM available at Incheon Airport or local stores like Woori Mobile (₩35,000 for 30 days unlimited).
- Banking for Expats
- Hana Bank or Shinhan Bank (Expat-friendly service). Toss and KakaoBank are popular digital apps.
- Accommodation
- Traditional Hanok stays (₩70,000/night) or modern Officetels (₩600,000/month + deposit).
- Cashless Friendly
- Extremely high; credit cards and mobile pay (Samsung Pay, Apple Pay) are used for even the smallest purchases.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local 'One-room' rentals near Jeonbuk National University (approx. ₩500,000 - ₩800,000/month).
- Budget Accommodation
- Jeonju Guesthouse (₩25,000/night for dorms) located near the Gaek-ri-dan-gil area.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Jeonju Hanok Village (Pungnam-dong) for traditional atmosphere and street food.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Gaek-ri-dan-gil (Jungang-dong) for cafes/vibes, or Deokjin-dong near the university for local prices and life.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Space Co-work (Jeonbuk Branch) in Naeseong-ro. Dedicated desks from ₩200,000/month.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Aul (아울) in Gaeksa. Spacious, high-speed WiFi, and plenty of power outlets. Coffee path ₩5,500.
- Networking Events
- Jeonju IT/Tech Meetup (check KakaoTalk Open Chat) or events hosted by the Jeonbuk Creative Economy Innovation Center.
- Social Events for Expats
- Jeonju Expats Facebook Group; weekly language exchange at 'The Hanok' bar on Friday nights.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- KakaoT (Kakao Taxi). Standard fare starts at ₩3,800.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Kiky (Electric scooters) or the city's public bike system 'Kkot-sing-i' (₩1,000 per day).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Byeonsan Beach in Buan, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes by bus.
- Top Regional Airline
- Jin Air (Flying via nearby Gunsan Airport or Cheongju).
- Top International Airline
- Korean Air and Asiana Airlines (Accessed via bus to Incheon Airport).
- Highway Access
- Honam Expressway (Route 25) connects Jeonju to Seoul and Gwangju.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Jeonju Station (KTX high-speed rail to Seoul in 1.5 hours, ₩34,600).
- Public Transport Passes
- T-Money Card (₩3,000 for card, top up as needed). Flat bus fare ₩1,500.
- Regional Travel
- Jeonju Intercity Bus Terminal for routes to smaller towns like Iksan or Damyang.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Jeonbuk National University Hospital (Deokjin-gu). Excellent English-speaking specialists.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Kula Jeonju (Hyoja-dong). Drop-in classes around ₩25,000.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Fitness 5.0 (Gaeksa). Modern equipment, ₩80,000/month.
- Laundry Services
- Coin Wash 24 (self-service laundromat). Approx ₩4,000 for a large load.