Seoul Correspondent

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The role

The Financial Times is seeking a resourceful correspondent to take on a job of two parts, covering on one hand the turbulent politics of the Korean peninsula, and on the other the dynamic technology industries of South Korea.

In the divided peninsula, geopolitical tension is never far away, and while Kim Jong Un has been quiet during the first months of the Trump administration that is unlikely to continue: a repeat of their 2018 and 2019 summits is quite possible in the years ahead. Meanwhile, Seoul must contend with Washington’s desire to reduce its security commitments, even as its economy wrestles with US tariffs and Chinese competition.

Domestically, the administration of Lee Jae Myung has made a pragmatic start following last year’s abortive coup attempt by former president Yoon Suk Yeol, but the country’s political divides remain, along with acute social challenges such as the lowest birth rate in the world.

Whatever the geopolitics, the corporate side of the job is at least as important to the FT, in particular the country’s world-leading role in the semiconductor industry, led by Samsung and SK Hynix. For a candidate with interest and aptitude in this area, there is potential to take on a wider regional role in covering the industry.

Other important business sectors include consumer electronics, with Samsung in mobile phones and LG in televisions; automobiles, where Hyundai is one of the world’s largest carmakers by volume; and shipbuilding, where Korean companies are the world’s largest, and have pledged to help rebuild the US industry. There is also Korean popular culture to write about: from Squid Games to K-Beauty to KPop Demon Hunters, it is a topic of endless global fascination.

The correspondent will lead a small team in Seoul. Please note that for administrative reasons this role is offered on superstringer terms and is not formally on staff.

 

Your skills

The core of the job is writing and reporting. You will have experience as a journalist, with the demonstrated ability to cultivate sources, spot a story and break news. You should be able to write for all parts of the website and newspaper, from strong spot news to deft analysis and features on a range of subjects. You should expect to write regularly, rather than honing the occasional masterpiece.

Background in covering semiconductors would be particularly interesting but is by no means a requirement.

The successful candidate will be highly motivated and full of fresh ideas for stories in a country where there are few on-diary stories of global interest. We will expect you to pitch regularly to editors in Hong Kong and deliver copy when promised. You should also be collegiate; close collaboration with reporters across our global network is central to the culture of the FT.

Working knowledge of the Korean language would be beneficial but is not a requirement. 

 

Please submit your application by the end of the day, Sunday 2nd October 2025.

 

The use of AI

Original reporting, great writing and intelligent commentary lie at the heart of FT journalism. Our readers trust us to produce quality journalism that is accurate, fair and insightful. This is why FT editorial staff do not by default use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to write articles or create other reader-facing content. For specific and pre-approved cases, AI can be harnessed for certain tasks, such as assisting data research for investigations.  

We expect applicants to the FT newsroom to refrain from using AI in their test submissions, and any written materials should be a genuine reflection of their own knowledge, skills and experiences. We encourage candidates only to employ AI as a tool to help with research and interview readiness for a role. 

Candidates should be aware that the use of AI throughout the application process is monitored to ensure a fair and transparent hiring process for all.

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion 

We believe in the power of unique perspectives and want all voices in our organisation to be heard, respected and valued. A supportive workplace is one where employees feel they can be themselves and operate to their full potential. We are committed to removing barriers for everyone, with a focus on addressing those faced by underrepresented groups.

What’s in it for you? Our benefits

Our benefits vary by location but we are committed to providing best-in-class perks across all our offices. These include generous annual leave, medical cover, inclusive parental leave packages, subsidised gym memberships and opportunities to give back to the community. Full details of our benefits are available here.

FT Newsroom staff are expected to work onsite a minimum of three days per week, subject to role requirements and regular review. While flexible working requests will be considered, not all patterns are suitable for Editorial roles.

Accessibility

We are a disability confident employer and Valuable 500 signatory.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments/personalisation as part of the application process or to enable you to attend an interview. If you would like to discuss your requirements or have any questions, email talent@ft.com and a member of our team will be happy to help.

 

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