Where to Teach in Korea (2026)
From Seoul to Jeju — EPIK places teachers across all 17 provinces and metropolitan cities.
17
Provinces
8
Metro Cities
3
Location Preferences
17 Teaching Locations
You can list up to 3 location preferences on your EPIK application. Final placement depends on school needs.
Seoul (SMOE)
MetropolitanKorea's capital. Highest salaries but highest cost of living. SMOE uses its own grading system. Competitive placement.
Pop: 9.7M
Gyeonggi (GEPIK)
ProvinceSurrounds Seoul. Mix of urban and suburban. Close to Seoul nightlife while enjoying lower rent. Most positions available.
Pop: 13.6M
Busan
MetropolitanKorea's second largest city. Beaches, seafood, and vibrant nightlife. Great for teachers who want city life outside Seoul.
Pop: 3.4M
Incheon
MetropolitanInternational airport city. Mix of urban and island areas. Close to Seoul via subway. Growing expat community.
Pop: 3.0M
Daegu
MetropolitanCentral city known for hot summers and traditional culture. Lower cost of living with easy KTX access to other cities.
Pop: 2.4M
Gwangju
MetropolitanCultural capital of the southwest. Rich arts scene and food culture. Very affordable living.
Pop: 1.5M
Daejeon
MetropolitanScience and tech hub in central Korea. KTX center — reach Seoul/Busan in 1 hour. Affordable and convenient.
Pop: 1.5M
Ulsan
MetropolitanIndustrial powerhouse on the southeast coast. Near Busan. Good salary-to-cost ratio.
Pop: 1.1M
Sejong
Special CityKorea's newest planned city and administrative capital. Modern infrastructure, growing community.
Pop: 380K
Gyeongbuk
ProvinceHighest non-Seoul salary tier. Includes historic Gyeongju. Mix of cities and rural countryside.
Pop: 2.6M
Gyeongnam (GOE)
ProvinceSoutheast coast including Changwon and Geoje. Beautiful coastal scenery.
Pop: 3.3M
Gangwon
ProvinceMountains, skiing, and nature. Includes Sokcho and Chuncheon. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
Pop: 1.5M
Chungbuk
ProvinceCentral highlands. Includes Cheongju. Additional S/S+ salary levels available (₩290-300K).
Pop: 1.6M
Chungnam
ProvinceWest coast. Includes Cheonan and Asan. Affordable with easy Seoul access.
Pop: 2.1M
Jeonbuk
ProvinceSouthwest region. Known for food (Jeonju bibimbap) and traditional culture. High salary tier.
Pop: 1.8M
Jeonnam
ProvinceSouthern coast and islands. Beautiful countryside. Quieter, more rural placements.
Pop: 1.9M
Jeju
ProvinceKorea's tropical island paradise. Volcanic landscapes, beaches, unique culture. Popular but competitive.
Pop: 680K
Placement Tips
City vs Rural
Cities have more amenities but higher rent. Rural areas offer quieter life and sometimes extra allowances.
Salary Varies
Seoul and Gyeongbuk pay the most. Check the salary table before choosing your preferences.
3 Preferences
You can list up to 3 location preferences, but EPIK may place you elsewhere based on needs.
Urban vs Rural Placements & EPIK Plus
How to choose between metropolitan buzz and countryside depth — plus EPIK's dedicated rural track.
Urban Placements
- Metro subway access (Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Gwangju, Daejeon).
- International markets, Costco, foreign hospitals with English support.
- Larger expat communities, easier social integration for newcomers.
- Higher cost of living — rent subsidies don't fully offset private expenses.
- Competitive placement: Seoul (SMOE) and Busan are the hardest to secure.
Rural Placements
- Eup/myeon-level townships in Jeonnam, Jeonbuk, Gyeongbuk, Chungnam.
- Rural Allowance ~₩100,000/month (per epik.go.kr) on top of base salary.
- Lower rent and food costs — many teachers save ₩1-1.5M extra per year.
- Tight-knit school communities, deeper Korean cultural immersion.
- Access to K-drama filming locations (Suncheon Bay, Damyang bamboo forest, Tongyeong).
EPIK Plus — the rural track
EPIK Plus (epik.go.kr) is the program's dedicated track for teachers who actively choose rural, high-need schools. Plus placements cluster in Jeonnam (Jeollanam-do), Jeonbuk, Gyeongbuk, and rural Chungnam, and typically include a higher rural allowance, new-build or recently-renovated housing, and priority placement for the candidate's preferred grade level. EPIK Plus is excellent for candidates who want lower living costs, more savings, and deep integration into a smaller Korean community. Candidates indicate EPIK Plus interest at the application stage — there is no separate application form.
Placement Clusters by Region
Current EPIK placement zones per epik.go.kr & goe.go.kr, with notes on density, scenery, and filming-famous spots.
Capital Region (수도권)
Seoul · Incheon · Gyeonggi
Korea's densest region — about 50% of the population lives here. Seoul (SMOE) runs its own salary scale; GEPIK covers the ring around Seoul. Subway commutes make even suburban Gyeonggi teachers effectively "Seoul teachers" on weekends. Famous filming spots: Namsan Tower, Bukchon Hanok Village, Gwanghwamun, Namiseom.
Southeast (영남)
Busan · Ulsan · Gyeongbuk · Gyeongnam (GOE) · Daegu
Coastal cities (Busan, Ulsan) plus historic Gyeongju. GOE (goe.go.kr) handles Gyeongsangnam-do placements independently. KTX runs the full length in ~2.5 hours from Seoul. Filming spots: Gamcheon Culture Village (Busan), Haeundae, Jagalchi Market, Gyeongju royal tombs.
Southwest (호남)
Gwangju · Jeonbuk · Jeonnam
Korea's food and arts capital. Jeonju bibimbap, Damyang bamboo forest, Suncheon wetlands. Jeonnam especially has many rural placements — the core of EPIK Plus. Lower living cost, quieter lifestyle, often cited as the friendliest region for foreign teachers.
Central (중부)
Daejeon · Sejong · Chungbuk · Chungnam
Geographic middle of Korea — KTX to Seoul or Busan in 1-1.5 hours. Daejeon is Korea's R&D hub. Sejong is the planned administrative capital. Chungbuk offers additional S/S+ salary tiers (₩290-300K premium) per epik.go.kr. Many teachers here enjoy weekend travel both ways.
East / Mountain (강원)
Gangwon-do
Ski resorts (Pyeongchang 2018 Olympics), beaches (Sokcho, Gangneung), and DMZ proximity. KTX Gangneung Line puts you on Seoul in 2 hours. Ideal for outdoorsy teachers — hiking, surfing, skiing all within an hour's drive. Popular K-drama filming location (Goblin, Crash Landing on You).
Island (제주)
Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
Korea's tropical island — volcanic landscapes, lava tubes, Hallasan summit, black-sand beaches. Highly competitive placement (limited schools). Access only by flight (₩50-80K from Gimpo) or ferry from Mokpo. Distinct island dialect and cuisine. Popular among teachers who renew for a second year.
Sources: epik.go.kr, goe.go.kr.
Location FAQ
Q.Can I choose which city or province I teach in?
You can list up to 3 location preferences on your EPIK application. Final placement is decided by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) based on school needs, your qualifications, and applicant volume. Seoul (SMOE) and popular provinces like Gyeonggi and Jeju are the most competitive; other provinces have higher acceptance rates for your top preference.
Q.Which EPIK province pays the most?
Salary is standardized across EPIK, but some provinces add regional bonuses. Gyeongbuk and Chungbuk offer additional S/S+ salary tiers (₩290-300K on top of base). Seoul (SMOE) uses its own salary system with generally higher base pay. Rural allowances (+₩100K/month) are available in some provinces like Gyeonggi for designated rural schools.
Q.What's the difference between city and rural placements?
Cities have more foreigner amenities — international markets, English-speaking hospitals, expat communities, and subway access. Rural (eup/myeon level) placements offer quieter pace, tight-knit communities, more nature, lower cost of living, and often a Rural Allowance. Both offer the same base EPIK contract and benefits. Rural teachers often say they develop deeper connections with students and staff.
Q.Are Seoul placements harder to get?
Yes. Seoul (SMOE) receives the most applications and has the tightest placement criteria. If Seoul is your top priority, apply early in the recruitment cycle, have a TEFL certificate + experience, and consider listing Incheon or Gyeonggi as your 2nd/3rd preferences — they offer easy Seoul access via subway (30-60 minutes) with less competition.
Q.Can I request a specific school?
No. EPIK placements are made by the provincial Office of Education (e.g. SMOE, GEPIK, GOE) based on school openings and applicant fit. You can specify preferences (city size, grade level, urban vs rural) but not a specific school. Korvia advocates for your preferences during the matching process.
Q.What if I don't like my placement?
Once you accept your placement and sign the contract, you are committed for 1 year. If you have serious concerns before signing (wrong province, grade level mismatch), discuss with your Korvia recruiter — you may be able to request re-matching. After signing, transferring is only possible upon contract renewal, not mid-contract.
Q.What's the difference between EPIK standard and EPIK Plus?
EPIK Plus (epik.go.kr) is a special placement track for teachers who specifically choose rural, high-need schools — typically in Jeonnam, Jeonbuk, Gyeongbuk, and parts of Chungnam. EPIK Plus placements come with an additional rural allowance on top of the standard EPIK salary, sometimes a higher settlement allowance, and priority housing in new-build apartments. In exchange, placements are in eup/myeon-level townships rather than cities — ideal for teachers who want a deeply immersive Korean experience and a quieter pace. Regular EPIK teachers can request EPIK Plus by noting it on their preference form.
Q.How is transportation access between Korean provinces?
Korea's transportation network makes even rural EPIK placements surprisingly connected. Key routes: KTX Gyeongbu Line connects Seoul → Daejeon → Dongdaegu → Busan in 2.5 hours; KTX Honam Line connects Seoul → Iksan → Gwangju in 1.5-2 hours; KTX Gangneung Line connects Seoul → Gangwon-do in 2 hours. Subway systems operate in Seoul (the world's largest), Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Daejeon, and Incheon. Express buses (고속버스) reach every mid-sized town, typically ₩10-25K per trip. Jeju is reached only by plane (~₩50-80K one-way from Gimpo).
Q.Are GEPIK (Gyeonggi) and GOE (Gyeongnam) different from EPIK?
GEPIK (Gyeonggi English Program in Korea, goe.go.kr-adjacent system) and GOE (Gyeongsangnam-do Office of Education) are provincial programs that run in parallel to the national EPIK program. Contracts, benefits, and duties are broadly similar, but each has its own application cycle, its own salary tweaks, and its own rural allowance rules. Korvia supports applications to both — many candidates who miss the EPIK cycle apply to GEPIK or GOE as their next option. Jeonnam and Jeollabuk-do also run their own provincial recruitments (JLP).