Boom in Brit exports to Korea sees expats following the trend

Recent efforts to promote stronger ties between the UK and South Korea have resulted in an export boom, with would-be expats rushing to join in.

The popular Asian relocation destinations of Singapore, Hong Kong and mainland China are being joined by the, until now, overlooked country of South Korea. Stronger ties with Britain are resulting in a huge increase in exports from the UK, the value of which is now on a par with exports heading for India.

As a result, would-be expats searching for a more Asian experience than can be had in Hong Kong or Singapore are putting the country firmly on their radar and investigating the jobs and lifestyle situation in Seoul as well as in other South Korean cities. High-end UK consumer goods are now hitting Korean stores in a big way, removing the need for the country’s middle and upper classes to travel to Hong Kong for a luxury shopping spree.

Korea is famous as a world market leader in the automobile, shipbuilding and hi-tech sectors, and Seoul is a world-class city as well as a historic gem in the region. Itaewon is its international district, offering a choice of Western-style condo accommodation, international and Korean restaurants and pubs as well as an interesting expat community, and the cost of living is dependent on the required lifestyle as in most Asian cities.