The Korea Times hosted an online seminar Thursday offering international students in Korea a step-by-step guide to navigating housing contracts, aimed at reducing the language barriers, deposit risks and visa complications many face when renting a home. The online session, titled "3-Step K-Housing Survival Guide," was led by Park Song-I, team leader at Foreedom, a company that supports foreign residents with housing issues. Park laid out a three-step process — secure contract, deposit protection and visa safety — to help students avoid common pitfalls. Park opened by explaining the differences between Korea's main rental types, including "jeonse," a lump-sum deposit system in place of monthly rent, and "wolse," or monthly rent. She noted that foreign nationals can sign such leases, but that legal protections under Korea's Housing Lease Protection Act generally require an Alien Registration Card, which allows tenants to report a change of residence and obtain a fixed date stamp on their lease. Renters without a registration card may have limited legal recourse, she said, advising stu