"Apparently, you can easily make 3.3 million won a month in Korea"... The "easy-money gig" making waves among international students

1,132 Caught from January to August...Nearly 17 Times Last Year's Total
Account Rentals and Ways to Evade Crackdowns Shared on Social Media

Stories have been circulating on social media of international students in Korea earning 3.3 million won a month from delivery part-time jobs. However, current regulations do not allow people staying in Korea on student visas to work as delivery riders. As illegal delivery work by international students has surged, delivery platforms’ rider identity verification and partner company management systems came under scrutiny during a parliamentary audit.

A delivery rider crosses the intersection at Gangnam Station in Seoul. Yonhap News.

"Nine hours on weekdays, 12 hours on weekends"... Even high-earning accounts

On October 8, Kim Ki-pyo of the Democratic Party of Korea disclosed the extent of illegal delivery work by international students during the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee’s parliamentary audit of the Ministry of Justice and called for platforms to strengthen their oversight. According to the data, 1,132 foreign nationals were caught working illegally in the delivery industry from January through August this year, about 16.9 times the 67 people caught over the whole of last year.

A Vietnamese-language social media post shared by Kim described how its author earned 3.3 million won a month delivering food while studying in Korea. The author said they worked nine hours a day on weekdays and 12 hours a day on weekends.

A post inquiring about delivery part-time jobs for international students, previously uploaded to an online community. Screenshot of the Kowork website.

Posts were also found on online communities recommending universities where it is easy to combine studies with delivery work or sharing tips on how to respond to enforcement actions. Posts reportedly offered information on trading delivery motorcycles and license plates, as well as renting accounts on delivery platforms such as Baemin and Coupang.

Under current regulations, foreign nationals staying in Korea on student visas cannot work as delivery riders, even if they have permission for part-time employment. However, some delivery partner companies reportedly advertised that foreign nationals who are not authorized to work could still work after reaching an agreement, or provided instructions on how to receive wages under another person's name.

Delivering with borrowed accounts... "Loopholes" in platform identity checks

Gaps in delivery platforms’ account management have been cited as one factor enabling illegal employment. A current delivery rider who appeared as a witness at the parliamentary audit explained, "If the account holder gives the login verification code to someone else, that person can make deliveries using the account." Critics say that while platforms may verify account holders’ identities during registration, it is difficult to continually check whether the person actually making deliveries is the account holder.

Kim criticized the platforms, saying, "They pay partner companies incentives based on metrics such as the number of riders they recruit, but do not adequately monitor illegal employment or the lending of accounts." He also argued that strong sanctions, including contract termination, are needed for partner companies involved in illegal employment.

A notice informing international students that they are prohibited from working in parcel delivery or food delivery and from using accounts registered under another person's name. Ewha Womans University

The operator of Baemin responded, "After becoming aware of the account-lending issue, we began operating a tip-off center. We will not evade our responsibility to oversee the use of accounts under other people's names through partner companies."

International students need permission for part-time work... Delivery work is prohibited

Foreign students staying in Korea on student (D-2) or general training (D-4) visas are generally prohibited from engaging in employment. To work part-time legally, they must obtain "permission for part-time employment" from the Ministry of Justice before starting work.

With prior permission, students may work in certain fields, including as assistants at regular restaurants, in translation and interpretation, as office assistants, as tourist guides, and as sales assistants at duty-free shops. The number of hours they may work is limited according to factors such as their year of study and Korean-language proficiency. By contrast, employment in certain sectors, including delivery, construction, private tutoring, and adult entertainment, is restricted or prohibited.

Foreign students who engage in activities outside their authorized status without permission may face up to three years in prison, a fine of up to 30 million won, or deportation under the Immigration Act. Employers who knowingly hire foreign nationals illegally or are involved in lending accounts may also be subject to penalties under relevant laws.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.