Building a Successful Professional Network as an Expat in South Korea

Published on January 17, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Moving to South Korea for work, entrepreneurship, or career advancement means entering one of the most dynamic economies in the world, dominated by giants like Samsung, Hyundai, LG, or SK Group, but also by a thriving ecosystem of startups, SMEs, and highly structured public institutions. In this ultra-competitive landscape, networking—inmaek—is not just a “plus”; it is the backbone of any sustainable career path.

This article offers a concrete and realistic strategy for developing your professional network in South Korea, leveraging local culture, key players (chambers of commerce, associations, mentorship programs), and the digital tools that truly matter.

Understanding the Playing Field: Culture, Hierarchy, and Relationships in South Korea

Before “networking,” you must grasp the framework within which professional relationships are built. South Korea is modern, digitalized, and innovation-driven, but its functioning remains largely shaped by Confucian values.

Hierarchy, sunbae–hoobae, and the Importance of Title

Both society and business are deeply hierarchical. Age, seniority, and especially position structure relationships. The professional title is almost a social identity card. In a meeting, the most senior person speaks first, sits in the seat of honor, and sets the pace.

The sunbae–hoobae (senior–junior) relationship permeates professional life: the senior advises, protects, opens doors; the junior shows loyalty, respect, and diligence. For an expatriate, positioning oneself as a curious, respectful, and hardworking hoobae, while bringing specific expertise, is often the best starting point.

Kibun, nunchi, jeong: Three Keys to Avoid Burning Your Wings

Three concepts summarize the art of relationships in South Korea:

Networking in South Korea is therefore not just an accumulation of business cards or LinkedIn connections: it is a slow weaving of jeong, while respecting everyone’s kibun with a lot of nunchi.

Time, Punctuality, and Basic Etiquette

The culture is considered “fluid-time” but, paradoxically, punctuality is sacred in business. Arriving 10 to 15 minutes early for an appointment shows you respect the other person’s time. Formal meetings are highly codified: greeting with a slight bow, sometimes combined with a soft handshake (never crushing), consistent use of titles, and almost mandatory exchange of business cards.

First Pillar: Mastering the Art of the Business Card (myeongham)

In South Korea, the business card (myeongham) is not a gadget: it literally symbolizes a person’s professional “face.” A poorly designed or mishandled card can send a bad signal from the first minute.

Designing a Business Card Adapted to the Korean Market

It is highly recommended to print bilingual cards, with one side in English and the other in Korean (in Hangul). The quality of paper and printing matters: a light, crumpled, or stained card gives an impression of negligence, even disrespect towards the person receiving it.

The essential elements to include are:

The Korean side will play a key role in the perception of your status. For certain positions, it’s better to get help from a professional translator or a service specialized in translating cards for the Asian market, who knows how to adapt titles to local customs.

The Business Card Exchange Ritual: A Strategic Moment

The exchange takes place standing up, in the first minutes of a meeting, usually after a brief self-introduction and introduction of your company.

A few simple but decisive rules:

Even if you already had your interlocutor’s email or phone number, ignoring this ritual would be seen as a serious breach of etiquette.

Table: Key Elements of a Good Myeongham

Element	Recommendation for Expatriates in South Korea
Languages	Bilingual: one side in English, one side in Korean (Hangul)
Paper Quality	Thick, neat finish, without creases or signs of wear
Title	Translation adapted to local hierarchy, verified by a native if possible
Contact Information	Include international dialing code, professional email, possibly Kakao ID
Logo & Visual Identity	High-resolution image (200–300 DPI), adherence to brand guidelines
Usage	Present and receive with both hands, read carefully, do not annotate in front of the other person

Second Pillar: Anchoring Yourself in Structured Networks – Chambers of Commerce and Associations

South Korea is one of the Asian countries where bilateral chambers of commerce and associations are the most active. For an expatriate, these structures are incomparable network accelerators, as they bring together executives, managers, diplomats, lawyers, investors, consultants, and entrepreneurs.

The Central Role of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI)

The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), founded in 1884, represents over 200,000 businesses and more than 700 sectoral associations. It acts as an interface between the economic world and Korean authorities.

Among its missions:

For an expatriate, participating in KCCI events or those of its local chambers, even as an observer at first, allows one to gauge current major topics, meet key market players, or spot collaboration opportunities.

Bilateral Chambers of Commerce: Your Natural “Hub”

For most nationalities, there is an active bi‑national chamber in Seoul. They organize seminars, cocktail events, sector circles, thematic groups (HR, finance, tech, ESG, etc.) and play a business support role.

A few examples among the most structured:

Chamber / Organization	Primary Role for Expatriates
American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM Korea)	Largest foreign chamber (≈1,800 individual members, ~900 companies), high visibility, numerous events
French Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI)	Active French-Korean platform since 1986: events, market studies, sector-specific networking
British Chamber of Commerce in Korea (BCCK)	UK–Korea business network, seminars, publications, support for British businesses
German–Korean Chamber (KGCCI)	Major bridge for German industry, sector committees, economic events
Italian Chamber (ITCCK), Spanish (ESCCK), Swedish (SCCK), Belgian, Dutch, Swiss, Norwegian…	Networks by national communities, privileged access to Korean and European decision-makers
Kiwi Chamber (New Zealand) & CanCham (Canada)	Tight-knit communities, useful for SME, startup, and mobile executive profiles

Most offer different membership levels (individual, corporate, startup) and provide:

How to Leverage Chambers in Practice

An effective approach could look like this:

1. Choose 1 or 2 priority chambers linked to your country or target market. 2. Participate in a few open events (breakfasts, seminars, afterworks) before even joining, to gauge the style and real interest. 3. Engage in targeted conversations, preparing a clear pitch: who you are, what you do, what you’re looking for (positions, projects, partners…). 4. Get involved in a thematic committee (tech, HR, finance, startup, energy…) to see the same people regularly and move from the status of “unknown face” to “active member.” 5. Propose, eventually, a presentation (webinar, testimonial, article) on your expertise: this is one of the quickest ways to be identified as a credible resource.

Third Pillar: Integrating into Expatriate and Local Communities

Beyond institutions, an effective network in South Korea also relies on a multitude of informal communities: expat groups, meetups, clubs, online forums, coworking spaces. They play a dual role: human support and professional springboard.

Expatriate Groups: Support, Information, First Contacts

On Facebook, large English-speaking groups structure the lives of foreigners:

– “Every Expat in Korea” (tens of thousands of members): practical questions, recommendations, announcements.

– “Seoul Expats,” “Daegu Peeps,” “Busan Social Meetup”: local anchoring.

– “Expat Women in Korea”: very active private group, with a professional support dimension and permission for self-promotion on certain days.

International platforms complement this landscape:

– InterNations: global community of 1.7 million members, with monthly events in Seoul (afterworks, dinners, cultural activities). Testimonials highlight its effectiveness for finding business contacts and integrating quickly, including through cultural affinities (e.g., among Scandinavians).

– Expat.com, KoreaBridge, Dave’s ESL Cafe, Reddit r/korea: places for information exchange, feedback, and sometimes professional contacts.

Language and Networking: Language Exchanges as a Bridge

Getting involved in language exchanges is one of the most effective ways to build connections with Koreans while improving your language skills. In Seoul, the offer is impressive:

– YNA Language Exchange (Hongdae): one of the largest gatherings of its kind, with 30–40 participants on weekdays and up to 80–100 on weekends, based on tables of 4–6 people, changing groups every 40 minutes, and an after‑party at a bar. English, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese can be practiced. Entry, around 10,000 KRW, includes a drink.

– GSM (Global Seoul Mates): very active platform in Gangnam and Hongdae, offering daily language meetups, a “Korean Gym” (tutoring program), and large themed parties on weekends.

– Culcom, Somoim, HelloTalk, Tandem, Hi Local: exchange cafes, mobile apps, and networking platforms for practicing Korean with natives, sometimes in other cities like Busan, Incheon, Daegu, or Daejeon.

Coworking Spaces, Tech Meetups, and Startup Communities

For freelancers, tech profiles, or marketers, coworking spaces and startup communities offer a very supportive framework:

– WeWork (Seolleung, Yeoksam, Yeouido), FastFive, D.CAMP, Maru180: spaces where startups, funds, freelancers, and marketers mingle. Workshops, conferences, and afterworks are regularly organized there.

– Seoul Startup Exchange, BusanStartups, Bitcoin Korea, Seoul AI, Seoul Real Estate Investing Meetup, Food Tech Seoul, Coffee and Code: thematic groups that allow people to gather around specific professional interests (AI, blockchain, foodtech, real estate, etc.).

– Korea Startup Forum, K‑Startup: institutional ecosystem for entrepreneurs, with support programs, competitions, pitch sessions.

Some statistics associated with these places show their potential: for example, D.CAMP states that about 70% of participants in their workshops found an opportunity (job, career move, project) within six months; Maru180 reports that 85% of participants rate the quality of their training very positively. In short: setting foot there is already entering the radar of the local microcosm.

Fourth Pillar: Fully Leveraging Digital Networking (LinkedIn & Co.)

Contrary to a common misconception, LinkedIn today has several million users in South Korea and is becoming a central tool for international profiles. Used well, it can become your “bridge” between the local and global worlds.

Building a Profile That Speaks to Korean and International Recruiters

A complete LinkedIn profile acts as a digital handshake. For the Korean market, it is relevant to:

– Add a headline oriented towards the position or sector you are targeting, with keywords recognizable by recruiters (e.g., “Product Manager – Fintech – Payments – Korea/Global”).

– Write a clear summary (“About”), highlighting years of experience, areas of expertise, measurable achievements, and what you are looking for today.

– Mix English and Korean in some sections (headline, summary, experience) if you have sufficient proficiency: this increases your visibility locally without losing the international audience.

– Obtain a few recommendations and skill endorsements, which strengthen your credibility.

Connection Strategy: Quality Over Quantity

Building a useful LinkedIn network in South Korea isn’t about sending mass invitations to strangers. Coaches specialized in the Korean market recommend:

– Start by connecting current colleagues, former colleagues, classmates, professors, mentors.

– Use search filters (location = South Korea, city = Seoul/Busan, company, school, position) to target people close to your goals (managers in your sector, HR, startup founders, alumni from your school present in Korea, etc.).

– Prioritize 2nd-degree connections (you have a mutual contact), as they are more likely to accept.

– Engage with a person’s content (likes, relevant comments) before sending a personalized invitation. This significantly increases acceptance rates.

An invitation can be brief but targeted, for example:

Hello [First Name], I am [Your Name], a [your role/sector] based in Seoul. I am very interested in [common area] and particularly appreciated your post about [specific reference]. I would be delighted to connect to follow your updates and better understand the local market.

Sample Professional Connection Message

Posting and Interacting: Becoming Visible, Without Constantly Selling Yourself

In South Korea as elsewhere, recruitment increasingly happens through visibility on networks. Several local success stories show people who obtained positions in Korean startups (including with visa sponsorship) or abroad simply thanks to a polished profile and regular activity on LinkedIn.

A few best practices:

– Post 1 to 2 times per week: experience feedback, trend analyses, mini case studies, reflections on the Korean market, event recaps.

– Write sometimes in English, sometimes in Korean (or a mix), to reach both audiences.

– Use relevant hashtags (e.g., #KoreaTech, #ESG, #Fintech, #MarketingKorea…) to appear in searches.

– Systematically interact with received comments and constructively comment on posts by local thought leaders.

The goal is not to turn yourself into an “influencer,” but to become identifiable in your niche: “the foreign person who knows the Korean market well in [your specialty].”

Table: Useful Digital Ecosystem for Networking in South Korea

Platform / Tool	Primary Use for the Expatriate
LinkedIn	Personal branding, job search, access to recruiters, international professional groups
KakaoTalk (and open chats)	Daily communication, work groups, local communities
Naver Café / Band	Thematic clubs and communities, often in Korean (requires translation)
Facebook groups	Expat groups, event announcements, job offers, employer feedback
Reddit (r/korea)	Monitoring, experience feedback, general questions about life in Korea
HelloTalk / Tandem	Language + friendly/professional network, especially with young Korean professionals

Fifth Pillar: Activating the Leverage of Mentorship

In a culture where the sunbae–hoobae relationship structures exchanges, mentorship is a powerful accelerator. It allows one to learn the codes, avoid costly mistakes, and open doors.

Why Seek a Mentor in South Korea

International studies show that 75% of executives attribute a decisive role to their mentors in their careers. In some companies, over 80% of participants in mentorship programs report improved inter-departmental relations. Internal statistics from a major news channel indicate that 91% of employees with a mentor are satisfied with their job, compared to significantly lower scores for those without one.

As an expatriate, a local mentor (Korean or a well-integrated foreigner) can:

– Explain the “real” way decisions are made beyond org charts.

– Help you decode behaviors, silences, implicit refusals.

– Gradually introduce you to their own network.

– Advise you on how to present your projects in a culturally acceptable way.

Types of Available Mentorship Programs and Networks

Several formalized systems structure this mentorship:

Beyond formal programs, it is possible to practice “mentoring up”: taking the initiative, as a mentee, to structure the relationship.

Building a Functional Mentorship Relationship

Some research (e.g., published in the FEBS Journal on how to build and maintain mentoring interactions) highlights four essential “Cs” in a mentorship relationship:

Concretely, as an expatriate mentee:

– Prepare your meetings (questions, topics, feedback).

– Keep a mini journal of your Individual Development Plan (IDP) goals.

– Be transparent about what you expect (cultural understanding, feedback on your communication style, introductions to certain circles, etc.).

– Express your gratitude (thank-you notes, acknowledging the help received).

If the relationship isn’t working (abuse, manipulation, total lack of follow-up), it’s important to know how to end it tactfully, explaining that your goals have evolved or that your time constraints have changed.

Sixth Pillar: Navigating Between Local Codes and International Added Value

A common mistake among expatriates is to blend completely into local customs, to the point of erasing their difference—when precisely this difference can constitute an added value in the Korean market.

Respecting Codes Without Erasing Yourself

Respecting hierarchical and relational norms does not mean giving up all initiative or frankness. The key is to formulate your ideas in a register compatible with kibun and the importance of harmony:

– Replace categorical statements with more diplomatic phrasing (“Perhaps we could consider…”, “One option would be to…”).

– Give feedback one-on-one rather than in front of a group.

– Propose alternatives without ridiculing an existing approach.

Leveraging Your Expatriate Profile

In a market constantly seeking internationalization (export, partnerships, R&D, investments), an expatriate can stand out through:

– Knowledge of multiple markets (Europe, North America, Middle East, Africa…).

– The ability to translate not only the language but also the cultural expectations of foreign clients, investors, or headquarters.

– Their network in other hubs (Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong, etc.), often sought after by Korean companies expanding internationally.

– Mastery of norms or practices (legal, ESG, digital) less common locally.

Companies that have adopted a diversity and inclusion strategy have historically weathered financial crises better and prove to be more innovative. An expatriate from this “diversity” can therefore objectively contribute to performance.

Managing Structural Challenges: Long Hours, Hierarchy, Gender

South Korea remains marked by long hours (on average 17% above the OECD average), a very top‑down leadership, and one of the highest gender pay gaps among developed countries. Expatriates, especially women or from minorities, often have to navigate these realities.

However, the culture is evolving:

– Some pilot companies (especially in tech and services) have implemented a four-day work week.

– Debates about the right to disconnect and work‑life balance are multiplying.

– More and more women are turning to entrepreneurship, bypassing traditional glass ceilings.

Joining networks that champion these transformations (chambers, sectoral associations, professional women’s groups, tech meetups) helps avoid facing these challenges alone.

Seventh Pillar: Maintaining and Structuring Your Network Long-Term

The hardest part is not collecting cards or multiplying events, but turning these encounters into lasting connections. The Korean logic of jeong implies an investment over time.

Follow-Up: The Art of Subtle Follow-Up

After each significant encounter (event, lunch, individual meeting), get into the habit of:

– Sending a short thank‑you message (email or KakaoTalk), mentioning a specific point from the conversation.

– Proposing, if it makes sense, a second contact (coffee, lunch, attending an event, a webinar you are hosting).

– Sharing useful content (article, report, event relevant to the person).

Give Before You Receive: The Logic of Reciprocity

A strong network relies on reciprocity. Even as a newcomer, you can:

– Help a Korean colleague review an email or presentation in English.

– Introduce a foreign contact to a Korean partner, or vice versa.

– Share your insights on a foreign market your company wants to enter.

– Recommend an event, training, or useful tool.

In a mentorship relationship as in a professional one, the exchange benefits from being mutual: you receive cultural keys and introductions; you bring perspectives, skills, or access to networks the other person doesn’t have.

Structuring Your Circles: Local, Regional, Global

Over time, your network in South Korea can be seen as a set of three circles:

South Korea’s strength, as the 12th or 13th largest economy in the world depending on rankings and an industrial heart of Northeast Asia, is precisely to be a node between these three levels. An expatriate capable of weaving these circles together naturally becomes a resource person.

Conclusion: Building a Durable Professional Network in South Korea

Developing your professional network as an expatriate in South Korea is neither a sprint nor a simple “job hunt.” It is a patient work of cultural understanding, regular presence, tact, and generosity.

In summary, a robust strategy rests on:

By combining these dimensions, an expatriate doesn’t just “survive” the Korean system: they can build a rich, durable professional trajectory, anchored in a network that, over time, will become one of their greatest assets, in South Korea and beyond.