Korea
Korea, lying in the north eastern part of the Asian continent is a country where a unique and homogeneous culture has been forged by a 5,000 year heritage.
With Korea’s scenic beauty and unique cultural and historical heritage, the nation boasts a fascinating blend of old and new. Throughout the country, there are numerous ancient temples and shrines, royal palaces, sculptural images, fortresses, folk villages and museums; as well, Korea is the gateway of Asia due to its high quality facilities, favourable geographical conditions and climate. Also, Korea is a leader among developing countries and it has the 11th largest economy in the world.
Korea is a peninsular country with four distinct seasons and autumn (from September to November) is the season most widely loved by Koreans and visitors. The countryside is particularly beautiful, coloured in diversity of rustic hues during the season.
Seoul
Seoul, a well-planned metropolitan city is the capital of Korea and home to its population of 12 million people. It has been the center of politics, economy, culture and transportation of Korea for six centuries. Ideally nestled amongst mountains and along the Han River, Seoul provides the refined atmosphere of a modernized metropolis while retaining the essence of the past through prominent vestiges, including classical monuments with historical significance. Ancient palaces, namely Gyengbokung, Changdeokgung and Deoksugung have stood in the heart of the city for centuries, reflecting the scholastic, artistic, and cultural achievements and excellence of Korean culture, while various amusement parks, superb convention infrastructure and other sites of interests offer both excitement and romantic experiences in the city.
Undoubtedly, Seoul is one of the world’s most charming and fascinating cities.
Climate
Seoul belongs to the Temperate Zone featuring four distinctive seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. Influenced by the North Pacific highpressure system, Seoul has warm and crispy autumns with average temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius in September.
Electricity
The standard voltage is 220 volts, but outlets for 110 volts are available at most hotels. Always check the power supply before using your equipment.
banks / Currency exchange
The currency unit is the Korean Won (KRW). Coins
come in denominations of KRW 10, KRW 50, KRW
100 and KRW 500, and notes come in
denominations of KRW 1,000, KRW 5,000 and
KRW 10,000. The exchange rate is subject to
fluctuations, but 1 USD is equivalent to about
948 KRW as of January 2007. Foreign currency
and Traveler's Checks can be converted into
Korean Won at most banks in Korea. Credit cards
are acceptable at most hotels, department stores
and restaurants. At the time of posting (January 2007), the values of selected currencies were:
| 1 Australian Dollar | 749 KRW |
| 1 British Pound | 1,878 KRW |
| 1 Canadian Dollar | 802 KRW |
| 1 EURO | 1,280 KRW |
| 1 Japanese Yen | 7.80 KRW |
| 1 China Yuan Renminbi | 122 KRW |
| 1 New Zealand Dollar | 664 KRW |
| 1 Mexican Peso | 87 KRW |
| 1 U.S. Dollar | 948 KRW |
For up-to-date information, go to the Universal Currency Converter at www.xe.com/ucc.
CREDIT CARDS
Most restaurants, hotels and shops accept credit cards. Visa and MasterCard are the most commonly accepted cards, however, American Express, Diners Club and others are also accepted.
AUTOMATIC TELLER MACHINES (ATMs)
Cards with the Plus and Cirrus logos are the easiest to use and most widely accepted in Korea. Some places even accept international cards like China UnionPay, Maestro, Electron, and JCB cards.
Banks as well as other sites have ATMs (automatic teller machines), where customers can make withdrawals, deposits, and fund transfers. Some bank cards may not be accepted (without Plus or Cirrus logo), however, credit cards will work for cash advances. Some ATM/CD machines operate 24 hours a day, while others are open from 08:00 to 24:00.
travelers cheques
Foreign currency and Traveler's Checks can be converted
into Korean Won at most banks or exchange booths in
Korea. Visa, American Express, and Thomas Cook
Travelers Cheques are the most commonly used in Korea.
Please note, two pieces of photo identification may be
required, although a passport will often suffice.
value-added tax (vat)
Value-Added Tax (VAT) is levied on most goods and services at a standard rate of 10% and is included in the retail price. In tourist hotels, this 10% tax applies to rooms, meals and other services and is included in the bill.
taxis
Taxis are plentiful, clean, safe, and inexpensive in Korea. There are taxi stands in most busy city areas, and taxis can also be hailed on the streets. As well, certain taxis can be requested by phone though the fare for these special call taxis is somewhat higher than regular taxis. An increasing number of taxi drivers speak some English. It is useful to carry the written address of your hotel and destination to present to the driver.
tipping
Tipping is not customary in Korea. Sometimes, expensive restaurants and luxury hotels may add a service charge of 10%. Thus, you do not necessarily have to prepare for extra charges since it will be included in the bill.
emergency call
Dial 112 for the police, 119 for the fire department, or 1339 for medical emergency (though most operators speak only Korean). A hotel staff or hotel manager can arrange for a doctor or an ambulance.
