Essentials
- City
- Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
- Population
- 280,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 200 Mbps (Gigabit fiber widely available in most rentals)
- Currency & Banking
- South Korean Won (KRW). 1,000 KRW ≈ 0.75 USD. Major banks: KB Kookmin, Shinhan, NH Nonghyup
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, but most locals use filtered water dispensers or boil it
- Power
- 220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- SK Telecom, KT, LG U+. Prepaid SIMs available at Incheon Airport or local providers like Woori Mobile
- Banking for Expats
- Hana Bank (Global Desk), Toss Bank (App-based), Shinhan Bank
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Yeosu Hotel & Resort (Sohona-dong region), and Officetels
- Cashless Friendly
- Extremely high; credit cards and T-Money accepted everywhere from taxis to street stalls
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (~$800-$1,200/month for coastal views), Danbi (Monthly stay platform)
- Budget Accommodation
- Backpackers In Yeosu (~$20/night), Yeosu Guesthouse Sunghwan
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Jong-po (Marine Park area) for nightlife and proximity to the cable car
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Sohona-dong or Ungcheon-dong for a quieter, modern residential feel with marina views
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Dream Office Yeosu (Hak-dong) - Day pass approx. 15,000 KRW
- Best Cafe for Work
- Dalkomm Coffee (Ungcheon Branch) - High speed Wi-Fi and designated laptop seating
- Networking Events
- Yeosu Youth Center (Jong-hwa branch) occasionally hosts local startup meetups
- Social Events for Expats
- Yeosu Expats Facebook Group; weekly language exchange at local pubs near Hak-dong
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- KakaoTaxi (Dominant app, requires Kakao account)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Yeosu 'Yeosurang' Public Bike (1,000 KRW per hour)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Manseongni Black Sand Beach (approx. 15 mins from city center)
- Top Regional Airline
- Jin Air, Asiana Airlines (Operating from Yeosu Airport RSU)
- Top International Airline
- Korean Air (via Gimpo/Incheon connection)
- Highway Access
- Namhae Expressway (Route 10) connecting to Gwangju and Busan
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Yeosu Expo Station (KTX high-speed rail terminal)
- Public Transport Passes
- T-Money Card (3,000 KRW for card, top-up as needed)
- Regional Travel
- KTX to Seoul (3 hours, ~47,200 KRW), Intercity Bus to Busan (2.5 hours)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Yeosu Chonnam Hospital (Guk-dong area) - General medical services
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Kula Yeosu (Ungcheon-dong) - ~150,000 KRW for monthly membership
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Fitness Star Yeosu (An-san branch) - 24/7 access, ~60,000 KRW/month
- Laundry Services
- WashEnjoy Self Laundry (Multiple locations in Soso-dong and Hak-dong)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Baedal Minjok (Baemin), Coupang Eats
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Gat-kimchi (Mustard leaf kimchi) and Gejang (Soy-marinated raw crab)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Poolmurae (Vegetarian buffet near city hall) - ~10,000 KRW
- Best Dessert Spots
- Yeosu Dang (쑥아이스크림 - Mugwort Ice Cream) near Yi Sun-shin Square
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- E-Mart (Juyong-ro), Lotte Mart (Guk-dong)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Coupang (Next-day 'Rocket' delivery), G-Market Global
- Grocery Delivery
- Market Kurly (Premium/fresh grocery delivery)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Hak-dong (The 'Sunsone' district) for local pubs and clubs
- Local Brewery
- Yeosu Night Sea (Yeosu Bam-bada) Craft Beer series available at local pubs
- Wine Bars
- Blue Moments (Sohona-dong) - Waterfront views and curated labels
- Street Food Stalls
- Nangman Pocha (Romantic Cart) Street at the Marine Park
- Popular International Cuisine
- Life of Pie (American style pies/brunch in Ungcheon)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Yeosu Maritime Cable Car (Odongdo to Dolsan Park), Odongdo Island
- Museums & Art Venues
- Arte Museum Yeosu (Immersive digital art) - Entry ~17,000 KRW
- Historical Sites
- Jinnamgwan Hall (Naval headquarters of Admiral Yi Sun-shin)
- Religious Sites
- Hyangiram Hermitage (Clifftop Buddhist temple built in 644 AD)
- Annual Events
- Yeosu Geobukseon (Turtle Ship) Festival in May
- Cultural Districts
- Goso-dong Mural Village
- Theater Venues
- Yeosu Culture & Arts Center (Yeulmaru) in Ungcheon
- Local Markets
- Yeosu Fish Market (Seogang-dong) - Fresh seafood and dried goods
- Music Scene
- Busking stages along the Nangman Pocha street during weekends
- Street Art
- The Angel Mural Street (Goso-dong 1004 Mural Village)
- Cooking Classes
- Local community centers offer Kimchi-making classes (Requires Korean registration)
- Art Galleries
- Ballo Gallery (near the Expo site)
- Historic Buildings
- Yeosu Expo Memorial Hall
- Local Heritage
- The Turtle Ship (Geobukseon) replica at Yi Sun-shin Square
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Odongdo Island (accessible by foot/bike via a breakwater)
- National Parks Nearby
- Dadohaehaesang National Park (Maritime park encompassing the islands)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Yeosu Coastal Bike Path (starts near the Expo site and runs south)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Dolsan Park (Best view of the Dolsan bridge at night)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Sosa-myeon wetlands during migratory seasons
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Camping zones at Ungcheon Beach Park (Designated areas only)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- CU or GS25 Convenience Store delivery; Korea Post (Post Office)
- Tech Repair Services
- Samsung Service Center (Guk-dong), LG Electronics Service Center (Hak-dong)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Yeosu Public Sports Center (Jinnam Sports Complex)
- Language Classes
- Yeosu Foreign Resident Support Center (Free or low-cost Korean classes)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Yeosu City Library (I-sun-shin branch in Ungcheon)
- Community Centers
- Yeulmaru Arts Center Hub
- Gaming Lounges
- PC Bangs (found on every major street like Hak-dong, ~1,500 KRW/hour)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Casinos for foreigners only are located in Gwangju or Jeju)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 4,500,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 33 m² = 148,500,000 KRW / ~$110,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 3,200,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 33 m² = 105,600,000 KRW / ~$78,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 5,200,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 260,000,000 KRW / ~$195,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 4,000,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 200,000,000 KRW / ~$150,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 6,000,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 480,000,000 KRW / ~$360,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 4,500,000 KRW per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 360,000,000 KRW / ~$270,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 9% to 24% (tiered system based on profit)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 14% standard rate (plus 1.4% local income tax)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents (residing 183+ days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% (for income over 1 billion KRW)
- VAT
- 10%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to residents with 10%+ shareholding in foreign entities
- Property Tax
- 0.1% to 0.4% annually (tiered based on property value)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 1.1% to 3.5% (Acquisition Tax + Education Tax)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Korea offers a 'Digital Nomad Visa' (F-1-D) for those earning over ~$65k/year, but does not offer 0% tax on foreign income for residents.