Do you need a licence to drive a scooter in Korea?

Do you need a licence to drive a scooter in Korea and where do you park it?

Technically yes. For example I wanted to rent a scooter when I went to Jeju and they refused to rent to me unless I provided a driver's license (International or Korean) on arrival. When I was picking it up they were turning away people who did not have a proper license. In terms of renting, I would imagine you could find somewhere if you looked hard enough..but it would be an "under the table" type deal. In terms of owning: I know people who have bought/ride scooters in seoul and they don't have a license or even registered their scooter.

In terms of getting the license it's rather easy as long as you have a valid one from your home country. Just take a 20# test it's pretty easy ( a lot of it is written with bad grammar which makes some questions a bit tricky). it's 18,000W and mine expires 10 years after registration.

If it is under 50cc you don't need any license, registration or insurance.  If it's higher than that you will need a license, insurance and registration but it depends on the size of the motor. (I think above 125cc requires a Korean license but you can use an international license if it is under 125cc.)

Umm, I am pretty sure a person needs a license for any motor vehicle. 

Looks at the Korea Driver License Authority site...
http://dl.koroad.or.kr/english/01_info/info07.jsp

I think a class 2 license is needed.  Which if I understand correctly is a basic car license.  Motorcycles need a different one.

As to insurance,  I would still get it.  All it takes is clipping a child or a vehicle and finding out your need to pay money.  More research needed.

If it is under 50cc you don't need any license, registration or insurance.  If it's higher than that you will need a license, insurance and registration but it depends on the size of the motor. (I think above 125cc requires a Korean license but you can use an international license if it is under 125cc.)

Umm, I am pretty sure a person needs a license for any motor vehicle. 

Looks at the Korea Driver License Authority site...
http://dl.koroad.or.kr/english/01_info/info07.jsp

I think a class 2 license is needed.  Which if I understand correctly is a basic car license.  Motorcycles need a different one.

As to insurance,  I would still get it.  All it takes is clipping a child or a vehicle and finding out your need to pay money.  More research needed.

Are you sure that "motorcycles need a different one"? It looks like up to 125cc you can ride a motorcycle on a car licence...

I have a 70cc scooter and don't have a Korean license. The dealership that sold it to me didn't care but told me it's illegal. The teachers at my school told me to show the police my American license and play stupid if I ever get caught. I'm going to try to get a Korean license as soon as I can make it to Seoul on a weekday though.

I usually just park on the sidewalk or in some part of the parking lot that's too small for cars, but the town closest to me has designated spots for bikes.

Legally you need one.

However, my whole first year I didn't have a license, license plate, or insurance.

My second year I decided to get the license just so I could get insurance.

You don't need a special license under 125cc...  above that, I've no idea.

Technically yes. For example I wanted to rent a scooter when I went to Jeju and they refused to rent to me unless I provided a driver's license (International or Korean) on arrival. When I was picking it up they were turning away people who did not have a proper license. In terms of renting, I would imagine you could find somewhere if you looked hard enough..but it would be an "under the table" type deal. In terms of owning: I know people who have bought/ride scooters in seoul and they don't have a license or even registered their scooter.

In terms of getting the license it's rather easy as long as you have a valid one from your home country. Just take a 20# test it's pretty easy ( a lot of it is written with bad grammar which makes some questions a bit tricky). it's 18,000W and mine expires 10 years after registration.

Is this a Licence exchange or something different?

I swapped my NZ licence for a Irish one and would rather not have to do another swap for an Korean Licence.

Is this a Licence exchange or something different?

I swapped my NZ licence for a Irish one and would rather not have to do another swap for an Korean Licence.

Yes, it's a swap.

But, if you leave the country after the swap [for vacation or permantently], you can take the plane ticket to the driving center and they'll give you back your Irish license (and you can keep the Korean one as well). 

You need a license to driver any gas powered scooter in Korea. You can drive up to 125cc with a regular Korean driver's license license.
50cc and under you still need a license, but insurance and registration isn't required. Although they may be changing this.

People will tell you otherwise, they are wrong. The cops may or may not care, but they that can be said for a lot of things. I know people who have been charged for this and received criminal records. Driving without a license is a serious offense.

As for parking, wherever seems the rule....but you should be able to find somewhere near yourplace that is fine.

Best answer and correct!