{"skill":{"slug":"seoul","displayName":"Seoul","summary":"Navigate Seoul as visitor, resident, tech worker, student, or entrepreneur with neighborhoods, transport, costs, visas, and local insights.","description":"---\nname: Seoul\nslug: seoul\nversion: 1.0.0\nhomepage: https://clawic.com/skills/seoul\ndescription: Navigate Seoul as visitor, resident, tech worker, student, or entrepreneur with neighborhoods, transport, costs, visas, and local insights.\nmetadata: {\"clawdbot\":{\"emoji\":\"🏙️\",\"requires\":{\"bins\":[]},\"os\":[\"linux\",\"darwin\",\"win32\"]}}\n---\n\n## When to Use\n\nUser asks about Seoul for any purpose: visiting, moving, working, studying, or starting a business. Agent provides practical guidance with current data.\n\n## Quick Reference\n\n| Topic | File |\n|-------|------|\n| **Visitors** | |\n| Attractions (must-see vs skip) | `visitor-attractions.md` |\n| Itineraries (1/3/7 days) | `visitor-itineraries.md` |\n| Where to stay | `visitor-lodging.md` |\n| Tips & day trips | `visitor-tips.md` |\n| **Neighborhoods** | |\n| Quick comparison | `neighborhoods-index.md` |\n| Gangnam, Seocho, Samsung | `neighborhoods-gangnam.md` |\n| Hongdae, Mapo, Yeonnam | `neighborhoods-hongdae.md` |\n| Itaewon, Hannam, Yongsan | `neighborhoods-itaewon.md` |\n| Jongno, Bukchon, Insadong | `neighborhoods-traditional.md` |\n| Choosing guide | `neighborhoods-choosing.md` |\n| **Food** | |\n| Overview & dining scene | `food-overview.md` |\n| Korean cuisine essentials | `food-korean.md` |\n| International & fine dining | `food-international.md` |\n| Best areas for dining | `food-areas.md` |\n| Dietary, alcohol, etiquette | `food-practical.md` |\n| **Practical** | |\n| Moving & settling | `resident.md` |\n| Transport (metro, buses, T-money) | `transport.md` |\n| Cost of living | `cost.md` |\n| Safety & laws | `safety.md` |\n| Weather & survival tips | `climate.md` |\n| Local services (banking, phone) | `local.md` |\n| **Career** | |\n| Tech industry & salaries | `tech.md` |\n| Business setup & regulations | `business.md` |\n| Visas (work, D-10, startup) | `visas.md` |\n| Startups & funding | `startup.md` |\n| **Lifestyle** | |\n| Culture & customs | `culture.md` |\n| Healthcare & insurance | `healthcare.md` |\n| Schools & education | `education.md` |\n| Expat lifestyle & social | `lifestyle.md` |\n| Driving & car ownership | `driving.md` |\n\n## Core Rules\n\n### 1. Identify User Context First\n- **Role**: Tourist, resident, tech worker, student, entrepreneur\n- **Timeline**: Short visit, planning to move, already there\n- Load relevant auxiliary file for details\n\n### 2. Housing System (Unique to Korea)\nKorean rental system differs fundamentally from Western models:\n- **Jeonse (전세)**: Large deposit (50-80% of home value), no monthly rent\n- **Wolse (월세)**: Smaller deposit + monthly rent (closer to Western model)\n- **Banjiha (반지하)**: Semi-basement units — cheap but humidity issues\n- Deposits are refundable but require significant upfront capital\nSee `cost.md` and `resident.md` for current requirements.\n\n### 3. Cultural Context\nKorea has distinct social expectations:\n- **Hierarchy**: Age and seniority matter in all interactions\n- **Drinking culture**: Refusing drinks from seniors can be awkward\n- **Work culture**: Long hours common; \"눈치\" (nunchi) — reading social cues essential\n- **Confucian roots**: Respect for elders, education highly valued\nSee `culture.md` for detailed guidance.\n\n### 4. Weather Reality\n- **Summer (Jun-Aug)**: 25-35°C with monsoon season (장마) — high humidity, heavy rain\n- **Winter (Dec-Feb)**: -10 to 5°C — dry, cold, yellow dust (황사) from China\n- **Spring/Fall**: Best seasons (April-May, Sep-Oct) — mild and pleasant\nSee `climate.md` for monthly breakdown and survival strategies.\n\n### 5. Current Data (Feb 2026)\n\n| Item | Range |\n|------|-------|\n| Studio jeonse (Gangnam) | ₩150-250M (~$110K-185K deposit) |\n| Studio wolse (Gangnam) | ₩10M deposit + ₩800K-1.2M/month |\n| Studio wolse (Mapo/Hongdae) | ₩5M deposit + ₩600K-900K/month |\n| Senior SWE salary | ₩70-120M/year (~$52K-89K) |\n| Metro single ride | ₩1,400 (~$1) |\n| Dinner (Korean BBQ) | ₩15,000-25,000/person |\n| International school | ₩25-40M/year |\n\n### 6. Cost Reality\nSeoul is moderately expensive with some surprises:\n- **Housing**: Jeonse requires huge capital; wolse more accessible\n- **Food**: Cheap Korean food ($5-8), expensive imports/Western\n- **Healthcare**: Excellent and affordable (national insurance)\n- **Transport**: Very cheap (metro + bus integrated)\n- **Hidden costs**: Key money (보증금), maintenance fees (관리비)\n\n### 7. Transit Excellence\nUnlike car-centric cities, Seoul has world-class public transit:\n- **Metro**: 23 lines, 700+ stations, covers entire metropolitan area\n- **Buses**: Comprehensive network, color-coded by distance\n- **T-money card**: Essential — works on all transport, convenience stores\n- **KTX**: High-speed rail to other cities (Busan: 2.5 hours)\n- **Taxis**: Cheap by Western standards, Kakao T app for ride-hailing\nMost residents don't need cars. See `transport.md`.\n\n### 8. Neighborhood Matching\n\n| Profile | Best Areas |\n|---------|------------|\n| Young professionals | Gangnam, Seocho, Yeoksam |\n| Creatives & nightlife | Hongdae, Yeonnam-dong, Itaewon |\n| Families (Korean schools) | Apgujeong, Bundang, Songpa |\n| Families (International schools) | Hannam, Yongsan, Pangyo |\n| Budget-conscious | Sinchon, Noryangjin, outer Mapo |\n| Traditional vibes | Bukchon, Samcheong-dong, Jongno |\n| Tech workers | Pangyo (Korea's Silicon Valley), Gangnam |\n\n## Visa Overview\n\nKorea has multiple pathways for foreigners:\n- **E-7**: Skilled worker visa (employer sponsorship required)\n- **E-7-1**: IT specialist visa (points-based, easier)\n- **D-10**: Job-seeking visa (up to 2 years)\n- **D-8**: Corporate investment visa (startup founders)\n- **F-2-7**: Points-based residency (long-term)\n- **F-5**: Permanent residency (after 5+ years)\n- **K-ETA**: Visa-free entry for most Western countries (tourism)\n\nSee `visas.md` for current requirements and processes.\n\n## Tech Industry Context\n\nSeoul + Pangyo form Korea's tech hub:\n- **Chaebols**: Samsung, LG, SK, Hyundai — stable but rigid\n- **Naver/Kakao**: Internet giants, more startup-like culture\n- **Startups**: Growing ecosystem, especially fintech and gaming\n- **Work culture**: Long hours, hierarchy, but changing in tech\n- **English**: Limited outside international companies\n\nSalaries lower than US/Europe but:\n- Lower taxes (income tax ~15-20% typical)\n- National health insurance (3-4% of salary)\n- Lower cost of living for daily expenses\n\nSee `tech.md` for detailed comparison and job hunting strategies.\n\n## Seoul-Specific Traps\n\n- **Jeonse scams** — Always use certified real estate agents (공인중개사). Verify ownership.\n- **No tipping** — Tipping is not expected and can be awkward.\n- **Cash still matters** — Many small shops don't take foreign cards. Get Korean bank account.\n- **Apartment numbering** — Buildings count ground floor as 1F. \"5th floor\" = 6th floor Western.\n- **Age calculation** — Korea uses \"Korean age\" (+1-2 years). Being phased out but still used socially.\n- **Sunday closures** — Some traditional markets and restaurants close Sundays.\n- **Phone addiction** — Everyone uses KakaoTalk. No Kakao = social isolation.\n- **Noise complaints** — Apartments have thin walls. Neighbor conflicts common.\n- **Yellow dust season** — March-May, check air quality (미세먼지) before going out.\n- **Work dinner expectations** — Declining 회식 (hweshik) can hurt career. Know when it's optional.\n\n## Legal Awareness\n\nKey laws visitors/residents must know:\n- **Drugs**: Zero tolerance. Cannabis = prison. Even prior use detected = deportation.\n- **Photography**: Illegal to photograph people without consent (strict enforcement)\n- **Noise**: Noise after 10 PM can result in fines\n- **Alcohol**: Legal at 19 (Korean age). Public drinking is legal.\n- **Smoking**: Banned in most public places. Designated areas only.\n- **National Service**: Korean male citizens must serve ~18 months military\n- **Defamation**: Truth is NOT a defense. Accurate criticism can be prosecuted.\n\nSee `safety.md` for comprehensive legal guidance.\n\n## Related Skills\nInstall with `clawhub install <slug>` if user confirms:\n- `dubai` — Similar city guide for Dubai with neighborhoods, visas, and expat life\n- `korean` — Learn Korean language with structured lessons and practice\n- `travel` — Plan trips with itineraries, packing lists, and logistics\n- `food` — Explore cuisines, recipes, and dining recommendations\n- `money` — Personal finance, budgeting, and expense tracking\n\n## Feedback\n\n- If useful: `clawhub star seoul`\n- Stay updated: `clawhub sync`\n","tags":{"latest":"1.0.0"},"stats":{"comments":0,"downloads":633,"installsAllTime":0,"installsCurrent":0,"stars":0,"versions":1},"createdAt":1771841076704,"updatedAt":1778491617178},"latestVersion":{"version":"1.0.0","createdAt":1771841076704,"changelog":"Initial release","license":null},"metadata":{"setup":[],"os":["linux","darwin","win32"],"systems":null},"owner":{"handle":"ivangdavila","userId":"s178jdk12x4qj3gs2se3etxf3h83h7ft","displayName":"Iván","image":"https://avatars.githubusercontent.com/u/81719670?v=4"},"moderation":null}