1. One needs a contract between the performer and an official from place (sponsor?) where the event will be held stating that permission is given and the length and date/s of the event.
2. One needs a copy of the Business license of the place which is hosting the event.
3. Then one takes that information along with $60,000 won and their passport to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and get’s a Reference (endorsement?) from them which permits the Event.
Presumably one does this for each event one participates in as the permission granted is for a single specific event only. If one were to show often and regularly this may not be an acceptable solution obviously.

Hmmm, just read your comment Mr. Carr. It looks like we’ve landed in the same place in our current understanding of Korean law in this issue.
It’s unlikely I’ll pursue the gallery route in Korea, as it’s likely to be a lot of hassle for little return. There are other routes which are likely to be more effective here for continuing my career legally in Korea.

Costume jewelry may not qualify as “art” for purposes of the E-6 visa. Again, I don’t know. (I did see a photograph of the stuff Mrs. Vershbow was wearing, and I would hesitate to call it “art” myself, or “jewelry” for that matter. But tastes differ.) So for Mrs. Vershbow the Tim Strong Experience™ may not be germane.

For MountainSong, however, it seems to be right on target. Find a gallery sponsor, apply for the additional endorsement on a per-show basis, then rake in the pennies (gallery owners are not known for their generosity of spirit).

If an artist intends to sell her jewelry as an independent businesswoman, on the face of the law the only means available is registration as foreign investor, adoption of a corporate form or sole proprietorship, and taxpayer registration. Otherwise she can sign up to be someone’s employee.

Now, I have been witness to the rare “miracle” where some Korean government official chucks the book of rules and, figuring he’s unlikely to be caught out, does something surprising and exceptional and utterly in contravention of the written law. Those cases are maddening because they are so unpredictable.

Thank you. You have mentioned several times the visa opportunity individuals have if they are “foreign investors.” It seems unlikely that Mrs. Vershbow would bring $50,000 to Korea. If that’s the case, what sort of endorsement would the government extend her? I understand E-6 is for entertainers and artists, but would that entail a sponsor? And who might that be on an ongoing basis?

Lisa Vershbow, according the Embassy, is applying for a visa endorsement in order to continue selling her jewelry. Do you believe will she have to make a visa run?

Yes, the exemption as I understand it, would apply to me if I were filing separately and not jointly with my husband – certainly a due consideration should the current circumstances be successfully overcome.

Mr. Carr, it would seem that despite several decades as a self supporting artist in the innovative West, the ancient European practice of seeking a Patron might suddenly be called for, given the challenge of Korea’s current laws pertaining to SOFA visa’s and self employment. ($W50,000,000) *sigh*
The irony of the collision of cultures in the Global Economy both past and present and East and West is not lost, and were I an artist inspired by current social commentary the moment would be preserved in pigments.
Thank you to you and your staff for your assistance and knowledge. Armed with that knowledge a solution, requiring no doubt both flexibility and acceptance on my part, will be found to reach a legally acceptable solution.

Mountainsong, are you sure you have to pay US taxes on earnings from sales made in Korea? Doesn’t the $70,000 exemption apply to you?