Volunteer Programs in South Korea

Setting goals when volunteering may seem like a little much but it can help you stay present and serve the community, and yourself better. A few ideas to start with are:

As you start volunteering, pay attention to what excites you, whether it's what you expected or something new. Discover your newfound passions and pursue them beyond your time in South Korea.
Identify the skills you want to refine, learn, or grow while in South Korea, and continue to set new benchmarks for yourself.
Connect with the country by pursuing a hobby or interest you love, enhancing your experience and deepening your connections.

Understand the benefits

Taking the time to volunteer in South Korea is exciting and is a great opportunity for any participant to gain:

Work experience. Whatever program you find yourself volunteering in, it’s a great opportunity to get some work experience or refine your work habits. You’ll be a part of a team that relies on you to do your share.
Great relationships. The people you’ll meet while in South Korea will become incredible relationships. Volunteer experiences are all centered around a common good and goal, so everyone has common ground to start on.
Personal Growth. Experiencing a project or cause somewhere uncommon to you will inherently make you expand your critical thinking, empathy, and resilience because of the differences. How you grow is all rooted in your willingness to aid in sustainable efforts to better the world.

Things to know

No matter where you are in South Korea, there are a few basics to know about the country and how you’ll live.

Visa and paperwork requirements - Ensure you understand and comply with the current visa regulations for your specific program, and have all necessary documents, like background checks and certificates, ready.
Housing and money - Volunteers often stay in hostels, with NGOs, or on farms, so be prepared with a budget. South Korea is generally more affordable than most Western countries, though costs vary by area.
Cultural sensitivity - Age and rank are important in South Korea, so respect for elders and those in higher positions is expected. Casual speech is reserved for those of the same age or rank, even if you become more familiar with someone.

Popular Providers

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Volunteering in South Korea is a great chance to immerse in a new culture and benefit the lives of those in need, whether you wish to take part in initiatives focused on community development, childcare, or English education.

Yes, foreign volunteers need a visa to enter South Korea. Requirements will vary on the country of origin and the duration of the program. Consider checking with your program providers for the most up-to-date visa information for your trip planning.

Seoul, Busan, and Jeju are among the top destinations to volunteer in South Korea, with community-focused initiatives such as orphanages, schools, hospitals, community centers, and organic farming.

Volunteering in South Korea can be costly due to high living costs, especially in Seoul. Smaller cities like Chuncheon may have lower costs but fewer amenities. Fundraising can offset expenses, so research and budget wisely before leaving.

Latest Program Reviews

I volunteered in South Korea in Childcare and After School Support program.

October 29, 2025by: Mary - - IrelandProgram: Childcare and After-School Support in Seoul, South Korea

10

I volunteered for a month (from September 28th to October 25th, 2025). Every Monday, we would meet up in the lobby to plan our English lesson materials for the rest of the week. After preparing everything, we would have lunch together with the guide. We usually took our time for lunch because we had to be at the location around 3 p.m. Once we arrived at the location, we would introduce ourselves to the children and start the lesson. We had two-hour lessons, with a 10-minute break in between. We usually finished class at 5 p.m. Then the assigned guide would go back to our accommodation with us, making sure we didn't get lost. Every day, we went to different schools. We worked from Monday to Friday. We met in the lobby at 12pm, every day. Sometimes, the volunteering organization would propose some trips to the Korean countryside to see more of Korea, meet other people, and help people. I took part in two trips: one to harvest chili peppers for the farmers and one to harvest apples. I had so much fun and interacted with locals. Unforgettable memories. Local team was friendly and kind. I had so much fun with them. As for food, I couldn't be any happier. It was so good. Accommodation was okay. I was in a dorm if 6 person. It was sometimes challenging but bearable for a month.

I was in South Korea and did the Childcare Programm

October 03, 2025by: Mia W - GermanyProgram: Childcare and After-School Support in Seoul, South Korea

10

I found the supervisors per Email and on site to be very friendly and helpful. Jin, in particular, assisted me greatly. The children were very sweet and open to learning. I also felt secure because we were told what and how to teach. Seoul is a great city, and I would definitely like to return. The accommodation was very clean and very well located. It was close to the train and only a few minutes' walk from Hongdae Center. And as I said, the team on site was very nice and helpful. Especially JIN! I would have liked it better if we had spent more time with the children. And if we had seen one class regularly, we could have built up a little rapport with the children. Or rather, the children would have felt more comfortable because they knew us.

I volunteered in South Korea in Childcare and After School Support program.

October 29, 2025by: Mary - - IrelandProgram: Childcare and After-School Support in Seoul, South Korea

10

I volunteered for a month (from September 28th to October 25th, 2025). Every Monday, we would meet up in the lobby to plan our English lesson materials for the rest of the week. After preparing everything, we would have lunch together with the guide. We usually took our time for lunch because we had to be at the location around 3 p.m. Once we arrived at the location, we would introduce ourselves to the children and start the lesson. We had two-hour lessons, with a 10-minute break in between. We usually finished class at 5 p.m. Then the assigned guide would go back to our accommodation with us, making sure we didn't get lost. Every day, we went to different schools. We worked from Monday to Friday. We met in the lobby at 12pm, every day. Sometimes, the volunteering organization would propose some trips to the Korean countryside to see more of Korea, meet other people, and help people. I took part in two trips: one to harvest chili peppers for the farmers and one to harvest apples. I had so much fun and interacted with locals. Unforgettable memories. Local team was friendly and kind. I had so much fun with them. As for food, I couldn't be any happier. It was so good. Accommodation was okay. I was in a dorm if 6 person. It was sometimes challenging but bearable for a month.

I was in South Korea and did the Childcare Programm

October 03, 2025by: Mia W - GermanyProgram: Childcare and After-School Support in Seoul, South Korea

10

I found the supervisors per Email and on site to be very friendly and helpful. Jin, in particular, assisted me greatly. The children were very sweet and open to learning. I also felt secure because we were told what and how to teach. Seoul is a great city, and I would definitely like to return. The accommodation was very clean and very well located. It was close to the train and only a few minutes' walk from Hongdae Center. And as I said, the team on site was very nice and helpful. Especially JIN! I would have liked it better if we had spent more time with the children. And if we had seen one class regularly, we could have built up a little rapport with the children. Or rather, the children would have felt more comfortable because they knew us.