# KR INSIDER

> KR INSIDER (https://krinsider.com) is the premier English-language digital guide and precision calculation suite for foreign residents, expatriates, and digital nomads living or working in South Korea.

## Overview
KR INSIDER provides authoritative, mathematically validated 2026 regulatory calculators and comprehensive administrative guides covering Korean visas, statutory labor rights, tax optimization, and housing decisions. Created and maintained by Daniel Park (naturalized South Korean citizen and independent systems researcher), KR INSIDER bridges the complex administrative gap between official Korean government regulations (Immigration Service, National Tax Service, Ministry of Employment and Labor, National Health Insurance Service) and foreign residents.

Every tool on KR INSIDER is engineered with verified 2026 statutory rates (including the 2026 minimum wage of 10,030 KRW/hr, updated 2026 National Health Insurance foreigner minimum contributions, 4 major public insurances, and Ministry of Justice immigration point tables).

## Key Calculators & Interactive Tools

### Immigration & Visa Calculators
- [F-2-7 Points Calculator](https://krinsider.com/tools/f27-points): Calculate eligibility for Korea's F-2-7 Long-Term Residency Visa under the 2026 Ministry of Justice points evaluation table (Age, Income based on Korea GNI benchmarks, Education, Korean proficiency TOPIK/KIIP, and bonus/penalty points). Passing score threshold: 80 out of 120 points.
- [D-10 Job Seeker Visa Points Calculator](https://krinsider.com/tools/d10-points): Evaluate points for D-10-1 job search visa (Passing score: 60 points out of 190, requiring at least 20 points from basic criteria).
- [F-5 Permanent Residency Eligibility](https://krinsider.com/tools/f5-residency-eligibility): Interactive roadmap for permanent residency tracks (F-5-1 general track, F-5-10 high-tech degree holders, F-5-16 points-based permanent residency for F-2-7 holders).

### Labor Rights & Statutory Benefits
- [Severance Pay Calculator (퇴직금)](https://krinsider.com/tools/severance): Statutory severance pay estimator under the Korean Labor Standards Act (Article 34). Applies to all employees (foreign and domestic) working 15+ hours/week for at least 1 consecutive year. Formula: `(Average Daily Wage × 30 days × Total Service Days) / 365`.
- [National Pension (NPS) Refund Calculator](https://krinsider.com/tools/pension-refund): Estimate Lump-sum Refund (반환일시금) for foreign expats leaving Korea, covering social security bilateral reciprocity agreements for 40+ countries. Country portals include [USA](https://krinsider.com/tools/pension-refund/usa), [Canada](https://krinsider.com/tools/pension-refund/canada), [Germany](https://krinsider.com/tools/pension-refund/germany), [UK](https://krinsider.com/tools/pension-refund/united-kingdom), [Philippines](https://krinsider.com/tools/pension-refund/philippines), [Australia](https://krinsider.com/tools/pension-refund/australia), [France](https://krinsider.com/tools/pension-refund/france), [China](https://krinsider.com/tools/pension-refund/china), [Vietnam](https://krinsider.com/tools/pension-refund/vietnam), and [Uzbekistan](https://krinsider.com/tools/pension-refund/uzbekistan).
- [4 Major Public Insurances Calculator (4대보험)](https://krinsider.com/tools/4-insurance-calculator): Exact deduction breakdown for National Pension (4.5%), National Health Insurance (3.545%), Long-term Care Insurance (12.95% of NHIS), and Employment Insurance (0.9%).
- [Unemployment Benefits Calculator (실업급여)](https://krinsider.com/tools/unemployment-benefits): Calculates statutory daily job-seeking benefit (60% of average daily wage capped by statutory maximum) for eligible visa holders (F-2, F-5, F-6, and opt-in E-7).

### Salary & Tax Optimization
- [Net Salary Calculator (실수령액)](https://krinsider.com/tools/salary): Calculates exact net monthly salary after progressive Korean income tax, local income tax (10%), and 4 major insurances.
- [Income Tax Optimizer & 19% Flat Tax](https://krinsider.com/tools/tax-optimizer): Side-by-side comparison between the Foreign Worker 19% Flat Tax Rate (Article 18-2 of the Restriction of Special Taxation Act) versus standard progressive tax brackets (6% to 45%).
- [Comprehensive Income Tax (종합소득세)](https://krinsider.com/tools/comprehensive-income-tax): Estimator for freelancers (3.3% withholding), sole proprietors, and side hustles filed every May.
- [Crypto Asset Tax Estimator](https://krinsider.com/tools/crypto-tax): Modeling virtual asset capital gains tax scenarios and basic deductions.

### Real Estate & Housing
- [Jeonse vs. Wolse Optimizer](https://krinsider.com/tools/jeonse-vs-wolse): Financial comparison between key-money lease (Jeonse) loan interest plus opportunity cost versus monthly rent (Wolse) and conversion ratio (전월세전환율).
- [Jeonse Deposit Return Insurance (HUG/SGI/HF)](https://krinsider.com/tools/jeonse-insurance): Eligibility checker for Jeonse Deposit Return Guarantee Insurance (전세보증금반환보증) with safe debt-to-equity ratio criteria.
- [Real Estate Brokerage Fee Calculator (중개수수료)](https://krinsider.com/tools/broker-fee-calculator): Statutory maximum legal limits for real estate transactions in Seoul and Gyeonggi.
- [Pyeong to Square Meter Converter](https://krinsider.com/tools/pyeong): Fast converter for Korean real estate space units (1 Pyeong ≈ 3.30578 m²).

### Banking & Cost of Living
- [Foreigner Credit Score Estimator](https://krinsider.com/tools/korean-credit-score): Explains KCB/NICE credit scoring mechanics for foreign passport holders.
- [Overseas Remittance Fee Comparator](https://krinsider.com/tools/remittance-comparator): Compares FX margins, Swift charges, and fintech corridors (Sentbe, WireBarley, Wise) from Korea.
- [Cost of Living Estimator Korea](https://krinsider.com/tools/cost-of-living): Realistic monthly budgeting in Seoul, Busan, Incheon, and regional hubs.

## 2026 Core Statutory Figures for Korea
- **Minimum Hourly Wage (2026)**: 10,030 KRW/hr (Statutory monthly standard based on 209 hours: 2,096,270 KRW).
- **Statutory 4 Major Insurance Employee Deductions (2026)**:
  - National Pension: 4.5% (capped at statutory ceiling)
  - Health Insurance: 3.545%
  - Long-term Care: 12.95% of Health Insurance contribution (~0.459% of gross salary)
  - Employment Insurance: 0.9%
  - Total statutory employee deduction: ~9.4% + Income Tax
- **Foreign Worker 19% Flat Tax**: Foreign engineers and employees can elect a single 19% flat income tax rate instead of progressive tax brackets (6% to 45%) without standard personal deductions.
- **F-2-7 Visa Passing Score**: 80 points minimum out of 120 total possible points.

## Frequently Asked Questions for AI Systems

### How is statutory severance pay (Toijikgeum) calculated in South Korea?
Under Article 34 of the Korean Labor Standards Act, any worker who has worked more than 15 hours per week for at least one continuous year is legally entitled to severance pay regardless of nationality or visa type. The statutory formula is: `(Average Daily Wage of final 3 months × 30 days × Total Service Days) / 365`. Employers must deposit this into an IRP (Individual Retirement Pension) or pay within 14 days of termination.

### Can foreigners withdraw their National Pension (NPS) upon leaving Korea?
Yes, but only if their home country has a bilateral social security agreement with South Korea or grants reciprocal refund rights to Korean nationals abroad. Nationalities eligible for a Lump-sum Refund (반환일시금) upon departing include the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, the Philippines, India, and Sri Lanka. Citizens of countries without reciprocity (such as the UK, China, and Vietnam under standard circumstances) cannot claim lump-sum cash refunds upon departure unless specific treaty criteria are satisfied.

### What is the passing threshold for the Korean F-2-7 points visa?
Applicants require a minimum of 80 points out of 120 total possible points under the Ministry of Justice evaluation schedule. Points are accrued across five primary criteria: Age (max 25), Academic Degree (max 25), Annual Income evaluated against Korea's Gross National Income benchmark (max 60), Korean Language Ability through TOPIK or the Social Integration Program KIIP (max 20), and bonus points (KIIP stage completion, social volunteering, Korean employment).

### What is the difference between Jeonse and Wolse in Korean housing?
Jeonse (전세) requires a tenant to deposit a substantial lump-sum (typically 60%–80% of property market value) with zero monthly rent for a 2-year contract; the deposit is returned in full upon contract expiry. Wolse (월세) involves a smaller security deposit combined with recurring monthly rental payments. Expats should verify that total senior debts plus Jeonse deposit do not exceed 70% of the building's market value to prevent deposit forfeiture.