Accommodation

Although Korea has a population of 45 million people, it is a very small country. As a result, real estate is at a premium and therefore most apartments are smaller than those in other countries. This is especially true in Seoul. Other than this, one of the basic differences between Korean and Western housing is the heating system. A floor heating system (known as 'ondol' in Korean) is the most common style in Korea. With this system, hot water is heated in a boiler and circulated under the floor. This is a very efficient and enjoyable system.

During a cold winter day, it is quite pleasant to lie on the floor with the heat cranked up. In Korea, housing is very expensive. However this should not concern you, as your employer will provide furnished accommodations free of charge. Your only responsibility is the utility charges (about 20, 000~50,000 won per month). Most Korean kitchens are equipped with a gas burner, fridge, microwave and a toaster. Very few people have ovens. In smaller apartments, the bathrooms will have only a toilet (western style), a sink and a shower that empties into a drain in the floor (not as bad as it sounds).