02 6270 4100, 
aus-act.mofa.go.kr.At the time of writing, citizens of almost any Western nation can enter Korea visa-free with an onward ticket, though the duration of the permit varies. Most West European nationals qualify for a visa exemption of three months or ninety days (there is a difference), as do citizens of the US, New Zealand and Australia; Portuguese are allowed sixty days, South Africans just thirty, and Canadians a full six months. If you need more than this, apply before entering Korea. One exception is Jeju Island, which is visa-free for citizens of most nations, as long as they fly (or sail) directly in and out.
Overstaying your visa will result in a large fine (up to W500,000 per day), with exceptions only being made in emergencies such as illness or loss of passport. Getting a new passport is time-consuming and troublesome, though the process will be simplified if your passport has been registered with your embassy in Seoul, or if you can prove your existence with a birth certificate or copy of your old passport.
Work visas, valid for one year and extendable for at least one more, can be applied for before or after entering Korea. Applications can take up to a month to be processed by Korean embassies, but once inside the country it can take as little as a week. Your employer will do all the hard work with the authorities, then provide you with a visa confirmation slip; the visa must be picked up outside Korea (the nearest consulate is in Fukuoka, Japan; visas here can be issued on the day of application). Visas with the same employer can be extended without leaving Korea. An alien card must be applied for at the local immigration office within ninety days of arrival – again, this is usually taken care of by the employer. Work visas are forfeited on leaving Korea, though re-entry visas can be applied for at your provincial immigration office. Citizens of seventeen countries – including Americans, Australians, British, Canadians and New Zealanders – can apply for a working holiday visa at their local South Korean embassy, as long as they’re aged between 18 and 30.
Australia 113 Empire Circuit, Yarralumla 02 6270 4100, aus-act.mofa.go.kr.
Canada 150 Boteler St, Ottawa, Ontario 613 244 5010, can-ottawa.mofa.go.kr.
China 20 Dongfang East Rd, Sanyunqiao, Beijing 100600 10 8531 0700.
Ireland 20 Clyde Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin 01 660 8800, irl.mofa.go.kr.
Japan 1-2-5 Minami-Azabu, 1-chome, Minato, Tokyo 03 3452 7611, jpn-tokyo.mofa.go.kr.
New Zealand 11th Floor, ASB Bank Tower, 2 Hunter St, Wellington 04 473 9073, nzl-wellington.mofa.go.kr.
Singapore 47 Scotts Rd, Goldbell Towers, Singapore 6256 1188, sgp.mofat.go.kr.
South Africa 265 Melk St, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria 012 460 2508, zaf.mofat.go.kr.
UK 60 Buckingham Gate, London 020 7227 5500, gbr.mofa.go.kr.
US 2450 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 202 939 5600, usa.mofa.go.kr.