Overview of Public Holidays in 2025

South Korea has 16 public holidays in 2025, offering ample opportunities for rest and relaxation. The holidays range from national celebrations to traditional festivals. Let’s dive into the list!   2025 Public Holidays New Year’s Day: Wednesday, January 1 The first day of the year is celebrated nationwide as a time for reflection and renewal. […]

How to Establish an LLC in Korea for Foreign Investors: Required Documents

Establishing a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Korea is a common choice for foreign investors due to its less stringent disclosure obligations and restricted share trading. Below is a concise guide outlining the necessary documents and the responsible parties for each step in the process when foreign investors are injecting capital. Initial Requirements Provide Office […]

Korea’s 4 Social Insurance Rates for 2024: What You Need to Know

  The image is sourced from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) of Korea. For more detailed information, you can visit their official website.       In Korea, both employees and employers contribute to several social insurance programs designed to provide financial security and support for workers. For 2024, these contributions are distributed across […]

2026 Korea Income Tax Rates for Foreign Workers

Understanding Korean income tax can be challenging for foreign employees and overseas HR teams. Korea applies progressive income tax rates to most employees, while eligible foreign employees may elect a special 19% flat tax rate. Another important feature of the Korean system is the Year-End Tax Settlement, under which the employer recalculates and finalizes an […]

Introducing Hyun Jee (Faith) Kim: Partner Attorney for Foreign Clients at STAR LAW

  We are thrilled to introduce Hyun Jee (Faith) Kim, a distinguished partner attorney at STAR LAW, specializing in services for foreign clients. With a wealth of experience and a robust educational background, Faith is a key asset to our firm, offering comprehensive legal services that cater to the unique needs of foreign businesses operating […]

Trust and Expertise: The Breakthrough Why Choose Us

Why Choose Us: Client Perspectives Today, we take a moment to consider why our clients consistently choose our services. Our commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of the intricacies of Korean tax law ensure that we deliver top-notch service to every client. Whether you are a small startup or a large corporation, we tailor […]

Understanding Zero-Rate VAT in Korea

In Korea, the standard VAT rate is 10%. Similar to other countries, Korea exempts certain transactions from VAT. Specifically, when a Korean resident company provides services to a foreign entity, VAT can be exempted under the following conditions. It is crucial for foreign corporations engaged in frequent international transactions to understand these criteria, as it […]

Introduction to STAR GROUP: The Legal and Tax Experts in Korea

As of May 1, 2024, we are thrilled to announce the formation of STAR GROUP through our collaboration with STAR LAW FIRM. Our core mission is to provide comprehensive assistance to foreign clients navigating legal and tax matters in Korea, drawing on our extensive and diverse expertise. Over the years, we have observed numerous crises […]

Importing E-Certificates in Korea (공인인증서 가져오기)

In Korea, every business must possess an e-certificate (공인인증서). This electronic identification is essential for interactions with governmental websites, banks, and other entities for company registration verifications. Typically, the bank provides the e-certificate when a company opens a bank account. Below, we’ll explain how to download (you first need to “import” the e-certificate into your […]