Oct 3, 2026
The True Cost of Hiring an Employee in Korea (2026)
What a Korean hire really costs in 2026: the employer's share of the four social insurances, severance accrual and bonuses, with a full worked example at KRW 4 million a month.
Recruiting in South Korea for global teams
Hire vetted Korean talent — without setting up in Korea
We find, screen and onboard Korean developers, designers, marketers and country managers for companies worldwide. Bilingual interviews, compliant contracts and EOR when you need it.
- Shortlist of 3–5 vetted candidates
- Success fee only when you hire
- 30-day replacement guarantee
- Reply within 24 hours, in English or Korean
Remote, EOR or your own entityWe recruit for whichever route fits your team.
Who we hire
Korean professionals for the roles global teams need
Every candidate is screened for skills, English and working style before you see a profile — so your first interview is already a serious one.
Software engineers
Backend, frontend, mobile, data and AI/ML engineers, plus QA — screened with portfolio and code reviews.
Product & UX designers
Product, UX/UI and brand designers with portfolios built for Korean and global users.
Marketing & growth
Performance, content and community marketers who know Naver, Kakao and Korean consumers.
Country managers & BD
A trusted Korea representative to open partnerships, run sales and handle local operations.
Content & localization
Video editors, translators and creators who make your product feel native in Korean.
Operations & support
Customer success, operations and project managers who keep a remote team running.
Three ways to hire
No Korean entity? You can still hire in Korea.
We recruit for all three routes and tell you plainly which one fits your headcount, budget and timeline.
Fastest
Remote contractor
A Korean professional works for you on a service contract and invoices monthly. Ideal for projects, part-time roles and testing the market.
Start: within days · Remote work guide
Most popular
Full-time via EOR
An Employer of Record employs your hire in Korea and runs payroll, the four social insurances and severance. You direct the work.
Start: about 1–2 weeks · Employment types
Long term
Your own Korean entity
A subsidiary or branch employs staff directly. Best once you have several people or revenue in Korea. We recruit your team.
Setup: usually 4–8 weeks · Entity setup guide
How it works
From brief to signed contract in four steps
Run by experienced recruiters — not a job board. You get a short list of people worth meeting, and help at every step after.
-
Free consultation
We define the role, salary range, hiring route and timeline with you, using current Korean market data.
You get: hiring brief & salary benchmark -
Sourcing & screening
We search our networks and Korean platforms, then check portfolios, skills, English and references.
You get: 3–5 vetted candidates -
Interviews & selection
We schedule across time zones, join as English–Korean bridge if needed and collect structured feedback.
You get: interview notes & recommendation -
Offer, contract & onboarding
We negotiate the offer and set up a Korean-law-compliant contract, NDA, payroll or EOR, and onboarding.
You get: signed contract & a 30-day guarantee
Pricing
Transparent fees. You pay for results.
One small setup fee to start the search, and a success fee only when you hire someone.
Setup fee
USD 500–1,000
one-time, per role
- Consultation & hiring brief
- Sourcing through verified networks
- Screening & 3–5 candidate shortlist
- Bilingual interview coordination
Success fee
15–20%
of first-year salary, only when you hire
- Offer negotiation & contract templates
- 30-day replacement guarantee
- Onboarding support
Example: a hire at USD 40,000 a year → fee of USD 6,000–8,000.
Optional services
Custom quote
based on scope
- Employer of Record (EOR) setup
- Payroll & tax management
- Legal & contract review
Recent placements
Korean hires that are working for global teams
Media & content
Global YouTube channel
Role: Korean video editor
Joined the international team and now produces all of the channel’s Korean-language content.
Startup
Government-backed global startup
Role: Korea country manager (agent)
Represents an overseas startup in a Korean government program — compliance, reporting and local operations.
Gaming
Global gaming company
Role: Korean regional marketing manager
Launched and runs Korean market campaigns with a deep understanding of local gaming culture.
Your recruiters
Built by people who have hired and managed teams
Hire From Korea is run by its two founding partners — senior recruiters who work in English and Korean.
Daniel Ahn
Partner & Senior Recruiter
17+ years across technology, business management and international recruitment. Has personally hired and managed 100+ employees and run hiring campaigns in Korea, Vietnam, Thailand and Europe.
- Yonsei University, MBA
- Former ROTC officer
- Korean, English, Japanese
- HR compliance & cross-border operations
Sandy Kang
Partner & Senior Recruiter
Global MBA (Sungkyunkwan University) focused on HR strategy and multicultural workforce integration. 10+ years in HR and corporate operations for startups and multinationals.
- 10+ years in HR & operations
- English, Chinese, Korean
- Remote hiring & contract setup
- Onboarding design
Free hiring guides
Everything to know before you hire in Korea
Twelve practical guides on Korean labor law, salaries, social insurance, EOR and entity setup — updated for 2026.
Korea basics
Employment rules
Hiring & pay
Operating in Korea
FAQ
Questions employers ask us
How much does it cost to hire through Hire From Korea?
A one-time setup fee of USD 500–1,000 covers consultation, sourcing, screening and interview coordination. When you hire, a success fee of 15–20% of first-year salary applies, with a 30-day replacement guarantee. EOR, payroll and contract review are quoted separately.
Can we hire in Korea without a Korean company?
Yes. You can engage a Korean professional as a remote independent contractor, or employ them full-time through an Employer of Record (EOR) that handles payroll, the four social insurances and severance. You only need your own entity once you have several staff or revenue in Korea.
How long does it take to hire?
It depends on the role and seniority. We start sourcing right after the brief and share candidates as they pass screening, up to a shortlist of 3–5. Candidates who are currently employed in Korea usually give about one month of notice before they can start.
How do you vet candidates?
Every candidate is pre-screened before reaching your shortlist: we review portfolios and work history, assess English and communication, and run reference checks.
What does an employee in Korea cost beyond salary?
Employers pay roughly 10.5–11.5% on top of gross salary for the four social insurances (National Pension 4.75%, health insurance 3.595% plus long-term care, employment insurance and industrial accident insurance), and must accrue severance of about one month of pay per year of service.
Do you work in English?
Yes. Everything from the brief to onboarding runs in English, and we bridge English–Korean communication during interviews and contract talks when needed.
Which roles do you recruit for?
Mostly software engineers, product and UX designers, marketers, country managers and business developers, content and localization specialists, and operations and customer-success staff — for remote, hybrid or Korea-based work.
What happens if a hire does not work out?
Every placement includes a 30-day replacement guarantee: if the hire does not work out in the first 30 days, we restart the search and find you a replacement.
From the blog
Latest insights
Oct 3, 2026
EOR vs. Setting Up an Entity in Korea: Which Is Right for You?
Employer of Record or your own Korean company? A 2026 comparison of speed, cost, control, visas and compliance risk, with clear rules for when to choose each.
Oct 3, 2026
Hiring a Designer in Korea: Rates, Portfolios & Process
Where to find Korean UX, product and graphic designers, how to review their portfolios, what they cost in 2026, and when to hire freelance or full-time.
Ready to meet Korean candidates?
Tell us the role. We source and screen Korean candidates, run bilingual interviews and set up a compliant contract. You pay the success fee only when you hire — with a 30-day replacement guarantee.