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South Korea

A practical guide for tech companies using South Korea as an industrial partner and test market in Asia.

Advanced manufacturingPublic startup programsLarge corporate buyers
#4in the Global Innovation Index, first in Asia

Source: WIPO GII 2025

10%corporate income tax on the first KRW 200 million of taxable income (20% to 25% above, plus local income tax)

Source: PwC tax summaries, rates from 2026

#1in the world for robot density, with 1,220 robots per 10,000 employees

Source: IFR, April 2026

Largestbiopharma production capacity of any single city, in Songdo (Incheon)

Source: Incheon Free Economic Zone

01

Why Korea

  • Industrial buyersKorea ranks fourth in the Global Innovation Index and has the highest robot density in the world, so factories and large groups are used to buying new technology.
  • Public programs for foreign foundersThe government runs English-language programs that give foreign startups office space, grants and help with visas.
  • A demanding test marketConsumers and corporates adopt digital products early, which makes Korea a hard but credible reference for the rest of Asia.

Source: WIPO GII 2025 · IFR, April 2026

02

Priority sectors

SectorMain hubWho to know
Semiconductors and electronicsGyeonggi province (Suwon, Icheon, Pyeongtaek)Korea Semiconductor Industry Association
Software, AI and gamesPangyo (Seongnam)Pangyo Techno Valley
Biopharma and life sciencesSongdo (Incheon)Incheon Free Economic Zone
Content, media and consumer brandsSeoulKorea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA)

Source: Invest KOREA

03

How companies enter

  1. Step 1Soft landingA first stay through the K-Startup Grand Challenge or the Global Startup Center, with office space and introductions to corporates.
  2. Step 2Pilot with a large groupA paid pilot with a conglomerate or a local partner, usually after a Korean-language pitch and a long internal review.
  3. Step 3Local companyA Korean subsidiary registered as a foreign-invested company, with the investment notified through Invest KOREA or a bank.

Founders can apply for the D-8-4 technology startup visa (normally a degree plus points from the OASIS program) or the Startup Korea Special Visa, D-8-4(S), which needs a recommendation from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups.

Source: Korea Immigration Service

04

Costs to plan for

  • Setting up the subsidiary and the foreign investment notification
  • Accounting, tax filings and payroll, usually in Korean
  • Office space, higher in Gangnam and Pangyo
  • Translation, localisation and Korean-speaking staff

Source: PwC tax summaries, rates from 2026 · Invest KOREA

06 · How uGlobally can help

Plan your entry with Orbis

Orbis, our internationalization platform, checks if your company is ready, compares Korea with other markets for your case and builds your entry plan, with the partners, potential clients and events to start with.

Discover OrbisTalk to our team
Rules, rates and costs change often, so check the current conditions with the sources above before you plan around them.

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