Seoul has potential to become an international business and financial hub, but that potential is undermined by frequent changes in regulations and a workplace culture that makes it difficult for foreign nationals to integrate, a poll showed. The poll was conducted online with 258 foreign residents of Korea by Hankook Research on behalf of The Korea Times from Dec. 18 to 24, 2025, to gauge expats' perceptions of Korea's competitiveness as a global business destination. According to the survey, 72 percent of respondents said Seoul is competitive as a global center for finance and business. Of those, 19 percent described the city as “very competitive,” while 53 percent said it is “competitive.” By age group, respondents in their 30s recorded the highest share of positive assessments at 85 percent. Among foreign residents holding employment visas, 89 percent said Seoul is competitive, suggesting that its perceived strengths are also felt in day-to-day business environments. Frequent changes to the regulatory environment were the most commonly cited obstacle to expanding foreign inves