Bilans d’évènement
Newcomers Seminar 2025: Welcoming Newcomers to Korea’s Dynamic Environment
On October 14th, 2025, the FKCCI successfully hosted its annual Newcomers Seminar at its Seoul office, welcoming around 15 participants newly arrived expatriates, entrepreneurs, and professionals eager to better understand Korea’s unique business and cultural environment.
Organized for the first time entirely in English, this half-day program provided a comprehensive and practical overview of essential aspects of life and work in Korea, from legal and HR frameworks to cultural adaptation and business trends.
After a welcoming introduction by Ms. Sonia CHAIEB KIM, CEO of the FKCCI, Mr. David-Pierre JALICON, FKCCI Chairman, opened the sessions with insights into the French presence and cultural dynamics in Korea.
He highlighted the country’s strong R&D investments representing nearly 5% of GDP and its capacity to develop new growth engines despite a challenging global context.
The event continued with a macroeconomic presentation by Ms. Marlène MARQUES LOPES, Economic Counsellor at the Embassy of France in the Republic of Korea, who traced Korea’s remarkable transformation from a developing nation in the 1950s to one of the world’s most advanced economies today.
In the afternoon, Mr. Olivier MOUROUX, Co-founder and CEO of Asiance Korea, highlighted the country’s digital and business ecosystem, with a focus on digital innovation and consumer trends.
A first roundtable followed, dedicated to legal, HR, with Mr. Johan VANDROMME (Kim & Chang) and Mr. Philippe TIRAULT (DHR Global) offering practical advice on employment regulations and workplace culture.
Later, Mr. Julien HERVEAU, Country Lead Partner of Forvis Mazars Korea, provided a concise overview of tax and social security obligations for expatriates.
The seminar concluded with presentations on cultural adaptation and community integration. Ms. Ida DAUSSY shared her insights on French-Korean relations and practical advice for newcomers, while Ms. Véronique PENEAU, President of Seoul Accueil, presented guidance on joining the local community and building connections.
Beyond this seminar, the FKCCI remains committed to supporting newcomers throughout their integration journey, offering guidance, networking opportunities, and tailored services to help them thrive both professionally and personally in Korea.
