Daily Life
Living in Korea
Recycling rules, phone plans, must-have apps, delivery culture, and your driver's license — everything for daily life in Korea.
Last updated: March 2026
Waste & Recycling
How to throw out trash in Korea
Korea's waste system is strict and specific. Each type of waste has its own bag, bin, and rules — here's everything you need to know.
Food-contaminated waste, diapers, cigarette butts, broken items that don't fit other categories. Must use official designated bags (종량제 봉투) bought from any convenience store.
How to dispose
Tie securely and leave in the designated trash collection spot for your building.
All food scraps: vegetable peels, leftovers, coffee grounds. Separate from general trash. In apartment buildings, use the designated food waste bin.
How to dispose
Use food waste bags (음식물쓰레기 봉투) or community bins. In some buildings, you swipe a card to open the food waste bin.
Paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, cans, metal. Sort into separate bags or bins at your building's recycling area.
How to dispose
Place in the color-coded bins at your building's recycling station. Most buildings have this in the underground parking or side of building.
Furniture, appliances, mattresses, large electronics. Cannot be left with regular trash — must purchase a disposal sticker.
How to dispose
Reserve collection online at your district's website (gu.go.kr) or visit in person.
⚠️ Breaking recycling rules in Korea can result in fines. When in doubt, ask your building manager (관리인).
Essential Apps
Apps you need to survive in Korea
Google apps alone won't cut it. Korea has its own app ecosystem — here are the ones locals actually use.
Naver Maps (네이버 지도)
The best navigation in Korea. Google Maps is unreliable here — Naver Maps knows every alley, every restaurant, real-time transit.
Kakao Metro (카카오 지하철)
Subway route planner with real-time train tracking. Shows transfer routes and estimated arrival.
T Map
Best driving navigation app in Korea. Integrates with car GPS systems. Good for road trips.
Baemin (배달의민족)
The #1 food delivery app. Every Korean restaurant delivers. Requires Korean phone number. Some UI now in English.
Coupang Eats (쿠팡이츠)
Faster than Baemin (often 30 min). Smaller restaurant selection but excellent for quick orders.
Coupang (쿠팡)
Amazon equivalent in Korea. Next-day or same-day delivery for almost everything. Rocket delivery is extraordinary.
KakaoTalk (카카오톡)
THE messaging app in Korea. Everyone uses it. You need this. Download it before you even land.
Papago
Naver's translation app. Superior to Google Translate for Korean. Camera translation is excellent for reading menus, signs, contracts.
Naver Dictionary (네이버 사전)
Deep Korean-English dictionary with example sentences, conjugations, and pronunciation.
Toss (토스)
Korea's fintech super-app. Easy money transfers, credit score checking, spending analysis. Works with most Korean bank accounts.
Your bank's app
Hana, Shinhan, KB each have apps. Hana and Shinhan have decent English support.
Goodoc (굿닥)
Find English-speaking doctors and clinics. Book appointments directly from the app. Filter by specialty and language.
NaverMap → pharmacy
Search '약국' on Naver Maps to find open pharmacies near you with real-time hours.
당근 (Daangn)
Korea's Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace. Buy/sell second-hand items locally. Great for finding furniture when you first arrive.
Naver Shopping
Price comparison across all Korean online shops. Best way to find the cheapest price for any product.
Phone Plans
SIMs & plans for foreigners
Korea has some of the fastest mobile networks in the world. Here's how to pick a plan that works for you.
Price
₩33,000/ mo
Data
1.5GB + unlimited LTE (throttled after)
Calls
300 min
Available at airports, SKT stores, convenience stores. Good for short-term visitors and new arrivals without ARC.
Price
₩30,000/ mo
Data
2GB/month unlimited (throttled after 2GB)
Calls
Unlimited (domestic)
Requires ARC. Good monthly value. KT has solid nationwide coverage.
Price
₩38,000/ mo
Data
5GB + unlimited (throttled)
Calls
Unlimited domestic
More data than competitors. Requires ARC. Good choice if you stream a lot.
Price
₩10,000/ mo
Data
1-3GB (varies by plan)
Calls
50-100 min or unlimited (plan-dependent)
MVNO carriers (Hellovision, U+알뜰폰, etc.) piggyback on major networks at 1/3 the price. Great for budget-conscious residents.
💡 If you don't have an ARC yet, you can still get a pre-paid SIM at the airport. Ask for a 선불 유심 (prepaid SIM).
Delivery
Korea delivers everything
Korea's delivery culture is world-class. Food, groceries, electronics, furniture — it all comes to your door, fast.
Coupang Rocket (로켓배송)
Order before midnight, get it next morning. Often same-day for orders before 2pm. Extraordinary service. Sign up for Coupang Rocket Wow membership (₩4,990/month) for free shipping.
Baemin (배달의민족)
30-60 min food delivery. Download the app, set your address, and browse. Most restaurants have photos. Minimum orders apply (usually ₩15,000-20,000).
Address issues
Your delivery address in Korea should be in Korean format. When setting up apps, use your building's Korean address (찾기 with Naver Maps or ask your landlord). English addresses rarely work.
Delivery to the door
Most delivery people will call/text when they arrive (in Korean). Having a basic phrase ready helps: '문 앞에 놔주세요' (leave at the door) is useful.
Useful Korean phrase
Text this to the delivery person, or paste it into the delivery note field in the app.
Driver's License
Getting a Korean driver's license
If you already have a license from home, you may be able to convert it without taking a test.
Convert without a test
If your home country has a reciprocal agreement with Korea, you can convert your existing license without a test. Countries include: USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Germany, France, and 100+ others.
Visit a Driver's License Examination Office (운전면허시험장)
Bring: ARC, passport, your home country license + Korean translation (from a notary or Naver), 1 passport photo, ₩10,000 fee
Take an eye test on-site (quick, about 5 minutes)
If your country requires it: take a short road safety quiz (25 questions, easy, in English)
Receive your Korean license same day (or next day)
Full Korean driving test
If your country doesn't have an agreement, you'll need to take the full Korean driving test (written + practical). Visit Kakao Navi's website or the Road Traffic Authority (도로교통공단) site for study materials in English.
Written theory test
70 questions, passing score 60%. Available in English.
On-course driving test
Slow-speed maneuvers in a test course. Straightforward if you prepare.
Road driving test
Actual road driving with an examiner. Usually 5km route.
🚗 Check the full list of agreement countries and study materials (in English) at the Road Traffic Authority site: koroad.or.kr