Step 1. Market Research

Build a Korea-specific market hypothesis. Do not reuse your U.S., EU, Japan, or Singapore GTM without checking Korean buyer behavior, regulation, and channel economics.

Step 2. Choose Entry Strategy

Choose one primary path:

• Explore: short visit, interviews, events, investor meetings.
• Partner: distributor, reseller, systems integrator, hospital, university, manufacturer, or corporate PoC.
• Incorporate: Korean subsidiary or local company.
• Fundraise: Korean VC, CVC, policy finance, or strategic investment.
• Regional HQ: Korea as Asia testbed or manufacturing/brand base.

Step 3. Visa

Check whether founders need D-8-4, D-8, D-10-2, E-7, or short-term business entry. Do this before company setup, banking, or lease commitments.

Step 4. Company Registration

For foreign-invested setup, confirm FDI route, investment amount, corporate form, registration, and business registration process with official guidance and local counsel.

Step 5. Bank Account

Expect compliance review. Prepare incorporation documents, business registration, shareholder structure, beneficial owner information, passport/ARC information, office address, and business explanation.

Step 6. Tax

Confirm corporate tax, VAT, withholding, payroll, transfer pricing, and permanent establishment risks with a Korean tax advisor.

Step 7. Hiring

Plan employment contracts, social insurance, payroll, workplace rules, and foreign employee visa sponsorship before hiring.

Step 8. Office