A Complete Guide to Renting a Home in Korea for Foreigners

An image evoking a real estate office, helping to illustrate Korea’s unique jeonse rental system Introduction: Hello, dear readers! Today, I would like to introduce Korea’s unique jeonse rental system in real estate transactions. This will be especially helpful if you are renting or engaging in real estate deals in Korea. Let’s get started! In South Korea’s housing rental market exists a unique system that is rarely found elsewhere in the world. This is the Jeonse system . Foreigners who first encounter Korea’s housing rental practices are often most surprised by Jeonse, as it contrasts sharply with the monthly rent–centered systems common in Western countries. At first glance, it may seem like nothing more than “a system where tenants deposit a large sum with the landlord instead of paying rent,” but beneath this lies a deep connection to Korea’s economic and financial structure, its historical background, and the residential culture of ordinary people. In this article, I will exp...