How do I find housing in Korea that allows pets?

Finding pet-friendly housing in Korea takes some patience but it's definitely doable. The keyword you want to search is 반려동물 가능 (banryeo dongmul ganeung — pet allowed) or 애완동물 가능. On apps like 직방 (Zigbang), 다방 (Dabang), and 네이버 부동산 (Naver Real Estate), you can sometimes filter by this option, but I've found it's faster to message agents directly asking for pet-friendly listings since not every owner updates their listing properly.

In practice, officetels and villas tend to be more flexible than large apartment complexes. Older apartment buildings in areas like Itaewon, Hannam-dong, Mapo, Yeonnam-dong, and Seongsu-dong have more relaxed policies and a bigger foreign tenant base. Newer high-end apartments often have explicit pet rules in the building bylaws (관리규약), usually limiting size to under 10kg or restricting certain breeds. Always confirm in writing before signing — verbal approval from the landlord won't protect you if a neighbor complains later, and Korea has surprisingly strict noise complaint culture.

There are some things you'll need to handle as a pet owner here. By law you have to register your pet with the city through the 동물등록제 system at any local vet (about 10,000 won including the microchip), which is legally required for dogs over 2 months. Dogs must be leashed in public, and muzzles are mandatory for certain breeds classified as 맹견 (dangerous breeds) like Pit Bull, Tosa, Rottweiler, and a few others. Elevator etiquette varies by building — some require carrying small dogs, some are fine if leashed.

Vet care is good and reasonably priced. Basic checkups run 30,000 to 50,000 won, vaccinations 30,000 to 60,000 won each. For cleaning and deposits, most landlords will ask for an extra deposit (보증금) or stricter move-out inspection — totally normal here, just negotiate it upfront. Areas like Seongsu-dong, Yongsan, and Bundang have a strong pet-owner community with cafes, parks, and groomers if that helps you narrow down the neighborhood search.