Settle. Seoul 2027
People gathered on a lawn for an outdoor event in Seoul
Everyday life

Volunteer in Seoul: make Seoul yours, give something back.

Grassroots groups welcoming English speakers, official 1365 programmes, and what to check before you sign up.

  • Grassroots groups like PLUR need only a Meetup sign-up; official programmes usually use the 1365 portal.
  • Volunteering is not automatically outside visa rules — ask Immigration on 1345 before regular, work-like commitments.
  • Schedules change: always confirm the organiser's current listing before you travel.
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Featured group

PLUR: Sunday evenings at Seoul Station

Founded around 2010 by international residents, PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity, Respect) is a non-religious, non-political volunteer community. Korean and international volunteers prepare and hand out food to people experiencing homelessness around Seoul Station. First-timers are welcome and children may attend with adult supervision.

At a glance

  • When: Sundays, 7:00 PM (food packing listed from about 6:25 PM).
  • Duration: around 90 minutes.
  • Meeting point: Seoul Station, Exit 2.
  • Contribution: ₩10,000 requested, which funds the food.
  • Bring comfortable walking shoes.

Good to know

  • Details come from PLUR's current listings — check the event before attending.
  • Little or no Korean needed.
  • An independent Meetup event — don't assume it provides official 1365 volunteer hours.
More places

Other groups and programmes

Choose by cause, location and how much time you have. Each organiser sets its own schedule and rules.

Korea International Volunteers

  • Homeless outreach — food preparation, cooking, cleaning and serving at shelters around Seoul.
  • October 2026 listings included sessions near Garak Market and Yeongdeungpo stations.
  • Register for each event through Meetup.

Share with Homeless — Volunteer Seoul

  • Mixed Korean and international group handing out food, drinks and donated clothing around Yeongdeungpo Station.
  • Sunday sessions roughly every two weeks, usually 5–6 PM; ₩10,000 contribution requested.
  • Welcomes first-timers and families.

Seongbuk Global Village Center

  • Recruits foreign residents for programme preparation and participant support.
  • Autumn 2026 sessions ran Fridays 9:30–11:30 AM, with two hours eligible for 1365 recognition.
  • Needs a valid visa and a 1365 account; check spaces remain.

Beautiful Store (아름다운가게, Areumdaun Gage)

  • Charity retail and reuse: sorting donations, shop help and occasional office or translation support.
  • Short- and longer-term pathways, depending on branch.
  • A good fit for a regular commitment.
Find more

Official directories

These portals list opportunities across the city. Most are Korean-first, so a translation app helps.

Where to look

  • 1365 Volunteer Portal — national directory; search by city (서울특별시, Seoul teukbyeolsi), district, category or date. Participating organisations register completed hours.
  • Seoul Volunteer Center — the city's coordination body for local, environmental and specialist projects.
  • Seoul Donghaeng — projects for university students and young people; check eligibility and Korean requirements.
  • Seoul Foreign Portal — local centres periodically recruit foreign-resident volunteers, including the Global BARO Volunteer Corps (watch for future intakes).
Registering

Getting started with 1365

Community groups usually just need you to sign up on their Meetup page. Official programmes may ask you to register on 1365 (자원봉사, jawon bongsa — volunteering). Seoul publishes an English registration guide.

  1. 01
    Create an account

    Visit 1365.go.kr and sign up.

  2. 02
    Verify

    Complete identity verification and your profile. This may need a Korean phone in your own name, so new arrivals may have to wait.

  3. 03
    Search

    Choose Seoul, then narrow by district or category.

  4. 04
    Check

    Read eligibility, location, language needs and deadline.

  5. 05
    Apply

    Wait for the organiser's confirmation before attending.

  6. 06
    Record

    After an eligible activity, check your account for registered hours.

Before you commit

Visa, language and safeguarding

A little preparation keeps volunteering rewarding for you and respectful for the people you help.

Checklist

  • Visa: unpaid activity isn't exempt from every immigration restriction — payments, benefits in kind and work-like roles matter. Ask 1345 if unsure.
  • Language: international groups suit English speakers; local government programmes may expect conversational Korean.
  • Dignity: respect people's privacy and never photograph anyone without permission.
  • Screening: roles with children or vulnerable people may require checks or training.
  • Hours: if official volunteer hours matter to you, ask in advance.
Useful phrase

봉사하고 싶어요 (Bongsahago sipeoyo) — “I'd like to volunteer.” 영어로 참여할 수 있나요? (Yeongeoro chamyeohal su innayo?) — “Can I take part in English?”

Official routes: Community · Seoul Foreign Portal · Visas · Learning Korean

Editorial guide based on official sources, reviewed October 2026. Confirm current requirements with the responsible office before acting.