How to Register Your Company in Seoul, South Korea?

Why choose Seoul for company registration?

Here’s the quick context on Seoul’s macroeconomics and why it consistently ranks as a top Asian HQ location.

Seoul is the economic powerhouse of South Korea, generating nearly half of the country’s GDP. With a GDP per capita exceeding $35,000, the city attracts global investors seeking stable returns. The metropolis hosts over 10 million residents, offering a large consumer base and skilled workforce. Major business districts such as Gangnam, Yeouido (often called “Korea’s Wall Street”), and Jongno are home to multinational headquarters, banks, and law firms. This urban concentration creates strong networking opportunities for entrepreneurs. For those considering alternatives, our guide on setting up a company in Luxembourg shows how European structures compare. Luxembourg has got a double tax treaty with South korea (Luxembourg-South Korea Double tax treaty).

What types of companies can you register in Seoul?

Choose the type of Korean legal company that matches your capital plan, liability profile, and go-to-market model.

• Limited Liability Company (Yuhan Hoesa) – minimum 1 shareholder, popular for SMEs.
• Joint-Stock Company (Chusik Hoesa) – minimum capital of KRW 100 million, ideal for large-scale businesses.
• Branch Office – direct extension of a foreign company.
• Liaison Office – non-commercial presence, limited to market research and representation.

If you are exploring European markets as well, our insights on French company registration may help you compare compliance requirements.

How do Seoul company types compare?

This side-by-side table highlights ownership, capital, governance, liability, and tax exposure at a glance.

How to register your company in Seoul step by step?

Follow these stages from name clearance to post-incorporation filings and licensing.

1. Choose your company type and name (check availability via Korean Commercial Registry).
2. Prepare Articles of Incorporation and notarize them.
3. Deposit initial capital into a South Korean bank account.
4. Register at the National Tax Service for tax identification.
5. File registration with the Seoul District Court.
6. Enroll for social security and employment insurance.
7. Obtain business licenses if operating in regulated sectors. For investors active in Europe, compare this with the compliance pathway for German company formation where tax and regulatory requirements differ significantly.

What are the tax benefits and obligations?

Understand headline rates, VAT, withholding, and treaty reliefs before capital deployment.

Corporate tax rates in South Korea range from 10% to 25% depending on taxable income brackets. Value Added Tax (VAT) is set at 10%. Dividends distributed to foreign shareholders may face withholding tax, though tax treaties with over 90 countries reduce this burden. Entrepreneurs benefit from government incentives, particularly in technology, renewable energy, and biotech sectors. To see how Asia compares with Europe, review our dedicated insights on Italian company registration, where dividend taxation follows different structures. For official rules, check the NTS website and Ministry of Justice registry.

Which sectors are growing in Seoul?

Target areas with strong policy support, deep supply chains, and global export demand.

Key growth industries include:

• Information & Communications Technology (ICT)
• Semiconductors and electronics manufacturing
• Biopharma and healthcare
• Green energy and mobility (EVs, batteries, hydrogen)
• Real estate development in mixed-use and logistics assets

Many investors diversifying across borders also explore opportunities in our Damalion insights blog, where we cover market developments in Europe, Asia, and beyond.

Are there real estate opportunities for investors?

Here’s where developers and income investors are finding compelling risk-adjusted returns.

Yes, Seoul’s real estate market remains attractive, particularly in Gangnam and Mapo. Investors target office towers, mixed-use developments, and logistics warehouses to capture demand from tech companies and e-commerce. Redevelopment projects near Seoul Station also provide long-term growth opportunities. International developers benefit from government-backed urban innovation plans.

What are the main business streets in Seoul?

Start your meetings around these corridors to stay close to finance, law, and tech stakeholders.

• Teheran-ro (Gangnam) – the “Silicon Valley of Korea,” packed with startups and venture capital firms.
• Yeouido – home to the Korea Exchange, banks, and investment firms.
• Jongno – historic district hosting conglomerate headquarters and legal offices.

Damalion facilitates company registration in Seoul, Korea

Our experts make incorporation smooth by combining legal, tax, and banking expertise under one roof.

Damalion facilitates the entire process for international investors wishing to establish a business in Seoul. Services include:

• Registration of your company with the competent authorities.
• Opening of local and international bank accounts.
• Registration with nearby tax authorities for compliance.
• VAT and EORI registration for cross-border trade.
• Provision of registered office and domiciliation services in Seoul.
• Ongoing legal, accounting, and compliance support.

Damalion supports international entrepreneurs and investors who want to register their company in Seoul, Korea. Please contact your Damalion expert now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the most common incorporation queries from founders and CFOs.