Land

¡¡¡¡The Koreanpeninsula extends southward from the northeastern edge of the Asian continent.
The land area of the Republic of Korea is about 99,200km(248,800acre) and its population is around 44million.
Over 70% of the peninsula is mountainous, endowing the country with beautiful scenery.

People

¡¡¡¡While Koreans belong to the Mongolian race, they have maintained a distinctive language, culture, and customs.
Korean society has always been family-oriented and, although modified to some extent nowadays, the basic pattens and manners of family life remain the same.
The most endearing national characteristic is the sincere warm-heartedness of the Korea people.

Language.

¡¡¡¡The Korean language is the though to be a member of the Ural-Altaic family, which includes such languages as Mongolian, Finnish, and Hungarian.
It has ten vowel and fourteen consonant sounds, and is written in a native phonetic alphabet, han-gul, which was created in 1443.
Although the alphabet appears complicated, it is actually very easy to learn.

Climate

¡¡¡¡Like other countries in the temperate zone, Korea has four distinct seasons. In spring and autumn the weather is glorious: cleaar, blue skies and warm, gentle sunshine.
Summer main rainfall occurring during this monsoon season. Winter is cold and dry, with occasional snow. However, these cold spells alternate with periods of milder weather.

Entry formalities

¡¡¡¡Most visitors with confirmed out-bound tickets may stay up to fifteen days without visas, although this does not apply to certain nation alities. Those who plan to stay in Korea for longer than fifteen days must obtain visas before coming to Korea.
Special visa exemptions exist between Korea and the countries listed to the right. It is important to check with a Korean embassy or counsulate regarding visas well in advance of a trip.

Visa Exemptions

¡¡¡¡For a stay of up to 3 months(or 90 days): Austria,Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Bulgaris, Colombia, Commonwealth of Dominica, Costa Rica,

Transportation

¡¡¡¡Many international airlines maintain regula flight services betwwen Seoul and major cities worldwide.
There are three international airports in Korea-Kimpo, on the outskirts of Seoul, Kimhae, near Pusan, and Cheju, on Chejudo Island, wto domestic airlines link 14 major cities within the nation.
Taxis are plentiful and relatively inexpensive in Korea, and rental cars are readily available.
The train service is reliable and moderately priced, and an extensive railway network covers most parts of the country.
The express bus service is even more extensive, and extremely frequent. However, bus routes and schedules are not printed in English, making it confusing for visitors not familiar with Korea. There are excellent, well-developed subway system in both Seoul and Pusan. All signs in the subway stations are clearly marked in English as well as Korean.
Car ferries and hydrofoils provide services to many islands.

Travel Agents

¡¡¡¡Guided tours around Seoul and its vicinity as well as longer trips into the Korean countryside are offered by travel agents. Licensed tour guides are also available through travel agents. The leading travel agents maintain information booths in the major hotel lobbies. The Korea Tourist Association, of which most Korean travel agents are members, is located on the 11th F1.,

Sam An Bldg.,945, Taech'i-dong, Kangnam-gu
Seoul; Tel.82-2-556-2356
Fax : 82-2-556-3818


National Holidays

¡¡¡¡Korean holidays are occasions for family gatherings and outings. Many of them are centered on religious or folk festivals. Some, however, commemorate national events. Although the Gregorian calendar is used for everyday events, the old lunar calender still determines some holidays and religious events.

Accommodations

¡¡¡¡Deluxe and first-class hotels offer a variety of restaurants and other facilities. Budget-watchers can check into inns known as yogwan.
Western-style rooms are available, but many visitors enjoy the experience of sleeping on the heated floor of a traditional Korean-style ondol room.

Business Hours

¡¡¡¡Government office hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, although from
November through February they close at 5 p.m. On saturdays they open at 9 a.m. and close at 1 p.m.
Banks are open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on saturdays.
Major department stores are open from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., including sundays, but smaller shops tend to be open from early morning till late evening.

Tax & Tipping

¡¡¡¡In tourist hotels, a 10% value added tax(VAT) is charged on the price of rooms, mmeals, and other services. Tipping is not a custom in Korea, although Koreans do sometimestip when they are especially pleased with thw service they receive or when a taxi driver, for example, goes out of his way to help them. At tourist hotels a 10% service charge is added to your bill, so tipping is not expected.

Emergencies

¡¡¡¡Dial 112 for the police and 119 for the fire ans ambulance. The hotel front desk or hotel manager can arrange for a doctor or ambulance. In the event of a medical emergency on the street, ask a policeman or passing pedistrian for assistance.
Police boxes can be found on every major street. Tourists would be well advised to keep the phone number of their consulate or embassy with them. The Lost and Found Center is run by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Bureau.
(Tel.82-2-298-1282/299-1282)

TV & Newspapers

¡¡¡¡There are four Koreans TV networks: KBS, MBC, SBS, and EBS. AFKN,an English- language station operated by the U.S. Armed Forces, can be received in most areas.Thirty cable TV channels began broadcasting in March 1995.
Two English daily newspapers, The Korea Herald and The Korea Times, are available at most newsstands in downtown Seoul and in many hotel gift shops.

Electricity

¡¡¡¡Two electrical currents, 110volts and 220volts, are in use in Korea, and both are available in tourist hotels. It is always safest, however, to check the voltage before plugging in electrical equipment.

Currency

¡¡¡¡The unit of currency in Korea is the "won", which is indicated by the symbol Coins are in denominations of 1,5,10,50,100, and 500. Bank notes of 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 are in circulation. The rate of exchange was approximately 790 to one U.S.dollar as of February 1995.
Major credit cards such as VISA, American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard, and JCB are widely used in hotels, large restaurants, department stores, and some shops.

Drinking Water

¡¡¡¡Unboiled water should not be drunk except at the better hotels. Boiled barley tea will always be served at restaurants and tearooms. Bottled water and mineral water are sold at all grocery stores.

Telephone Calls

¡¡¡¡There are three types of public telephones in Korea: blue telehpones, and grey telephones, and card telephones.
Grey or blue telephones can be used for both local and long distance calls(DDD) A local call costs W40 for the three minutes.(Long distance calls cost considerably more) Time can be extended by depositing take \10, \50, and \100 coins.
Card telephones can be used to make international calls as well as local and long distance calls. Telephone cards come in \2,000, \3,000, \5,000 and \10,000 units and are on sale in shops close to telephone boxes as well as in banks, telephone offices, and post offices.

Tourist Complaint Center

¡¡¡¡If overseas visitors to Korea experience any inconvenience or simply wish to offer some advice on how to improve tourist services, they should call or
  • write to KNTC's Tourist Complaint Center£®
  • Tel : 82-2-735-0101
  • Fax : 82-2-757-5997
  • K.P.O.Box 1879,Seoul 110-618
in addition, the provincial governments have administrative sections which deal with tourist difficulties.

Tourist Information Services

¡¡¡¡Information for tourists is readily available at the Korea National Tourism Corporation's Tourist Information Center.
staffed by multilingual guides and equipped with maps, videos, an information desk and a small theater, the center is the ideal place to start a tour of Korea. Domestic air and train tickets are also available. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.(November-February:5p.m.) everyday.
The center also welcomes telephone queries and requests for information and hotel reservations from people abroad who are planning to visit korea.

Tourist information Center (TIC)

KNTC Bldg., 10 Ta-dong, Chung-gu, Seoul, 100-180, Korea
Tel: 82-2-757-0086
Fax: 82-2-757-5997

KNTC operates information desks at Kimpo, Kimhae, and Cheju International Airports.
Kimpo: 82-2-665-0086/0986
Kimhae: 82-51-973-1100
Cheju: 82-64-42-0032


Foreign Embassies in Korea
* Country code = 82

Name Place Tel
The Embassy of Chile
The Embassy of Israel
The Embassy of Philippines
The Embassy of Russian Federation
The Embassy of Zaire
The Embassy of France
The Embassy of Indonesia
The Consulate of Egypt
The Embassy of Algeria
The Embassy of Argentina
The Embassy of Bangladesh
The Embassy of Belgium
The Embassy of Brunei
The Embassy of Bulgaria
The Embassy of Ecuador
The Embassy of Ethiopia
The Embassy of Gabon
The Embassy of Hungary
The Embassy of India
The Embassy of Iran
The Embassy of Italy
The Embassy of Kuwait
The Embassy of Lebanon
The Embassy of Libya
The Embassy of Malaysia
The Embassy of Mexico
The Embassy of Mongolia
The Embassy of Morocco
The Embassy of Myanmar
The Embassy of Nigeria
The Embassy of Norway
The Embassy of Oman
The Embassy of Pakistan
The Embassy of Papua New Guinea
The Embassy of Peru
The Embassy of Poland
The Embassy of Qatar
The Embassy of Romania
The Embassy of Slovak Republic
The Embassy of South Africa
The Embassy of Spain
The Embassy of Sudan
The Embassy of Thailand
The Embassy of Tunisia
The Embassy of Turkey
The Embassy of U.A.E
The Embassy of Yemen
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chongno-gu, Seoul
Chung-gu, Seoul
Chung-gu, Seoul
Chung-gu, Seoul
Chung-gu, Seoul
Chung-gu, Seoul
Chung-gu, Seoul
Chung-gu, Seoul
Chung-gu, Seoul
Tong-gu, Pusan
Tong-gu, Pusan
Tong-gu, Pusan
Chung-gu, Pusan
Chung-gu, Pusan
Chung-gu, Pusan
Cheju-shi, Cheju
Kangnam-gu, Seoul
Kangnam-gu, Seoul
Kangnam-gu, Seoul
Kangnam-gu, Seoul
Kangnam-gu, Seoul
2-790-0803
2-730-6490
2-732-9071/2
02-742-7170
2-720-1369
2-720-6453
2-744-1803
2-741-7527
2-732-6737
2-765-3265
2-736-5725
2-744-7563
2-733-5626
2-737-9514/6
2-730-7794
2-745-4163
2-742-2190
2-738-2078/9
2-739-0631/5
2-722-0442/5
2-735-2966/7
2-744-0263/4
2-738-0846
2-739-9511/4
2-397-4114
2-741-0036/7
2-738-2318
2-756-3170
2-753-2605/8
2-773-0214
2-726-7114
2-729-1401
2-774-7563
2-735-7341/3
2-753-7893
51-465-5101
51-441-8749
51- 441-3121
51-441-9904
51-246-7791/2
51-441-2757
64-51-2501/8
2-549-1654/6
2-564-3448
2-568-6141
2-552-7094/6
2-554-7411


Name Place Tel
The Embassy of Yugoslavia
The Embassy of Australia
The Embassy of Austria
The Embassy of Bolivia
The Embassy of Colombia
The Embassy of Czech Lands
The Embassy of Dominican Republic
The Embassy of El Salvador
The Embassy of Filand
The Embassy of Guatemala
The Embassy of Holy See
The Embassy of Honduras
The Embassy of Japan
The Embassy of Netherlands
The Embassy of New Zealand
The Embassy of Panama
The Embassy of Paraguay
The Embassy of Portugal
The Embassy of Saudi Arabia
The Embassy of Singapore
The Embassy of Sri Lanka
The Embassy of Swaziland
The Embassy of Sweden
The Embassy of Switzerland
The Embassy of U.S.A
The Embassy of Venezuela
The Embassy of Vietnam
The Embassy of Brazil
The Embassy of Canada
The Embassy of China(P.R.C)
The Embassy of Germany
The Embassy of Greece
The Embassy of Ireland
The Embassy of United Kingdom
The Embassy of Uruguay
The Consulate of Japan
The Consulate of China
The 2nd Russian Information Center
The Consulate of Russia
The Consulate of U.S.A
The 1st Russian Information Center
The Consulate of Japan
Sodaemun-gu, Seoul
Yongdungp'o-gu, seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
02-312-3272
02-783-5675/7
02-749-0787/9
02-794-5034/5
02-793-4062
02-796-4056/7
02-749-0381
02-798-5565
02-727-5810
02-795-0637/8
02-790-8927
02-793-9575
02-792-2105
02-798-4257
02-793-7751/3
02-796-0491/5
02-749-3688/9
02-794-6482/4
02-797-6001/6
02-794-0349
02-798-1694/5
02-794-1350
02-793-6249
02-792-3341
02-797-2370
02-795-6850/1
02-790-2431/2
02-796-8252
02-798-9854/5
02-793-5810
02-779-0163
02-790-1308
02-797-4924
02-794-3981
02-792-4855
02-793-5703
02-793-8692
02-795-3098
02-790-4334
02-794-0255
02-790-3235/7
02-792-9883/4


Korean Mountain
Cultural Legacy
Korean old palaces and museums
Korean Traditional Culture
Trip to Seoul and Pusan on subway
Shopping in Korea
Korean Streets
Memo


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