About Korea

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South Korea is a country in East Asia. It occupies the southern portion of the Korean peninsula. The country is bordered by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) to the north, the East Sea to the east, the East China Sea to the south, and the Yellow Sea to the west.

With Seoul as its capital city, South Korea makes up about 45 percent of the peninsula’s land area. The total population of Korea is approximately 51,821,669 (as of August 2021), with most of the population residing in the Seoul metropolitan area.

Seoul

Seoul is the capital and largest city of Korea. It is a lively and interesting city, a clever combination of ancient history and ultra-modern design and technology.

The city is full of all kinds of tourist attractions, from outdoor adventures such as exploring Namsan Mountain and its surrounding parks to indoor fun such as visiting one of Seoul's many museums.

Seoul is also famous for its mouth-watering street food, Korean specialties such as K- barbecue, and food with luxurious dining options.

For more information about your trip to Seoul, click the links below.

Busan

Busan is the second largest city in South Korea, after Seoul. It is located at the southern end of the Korean Peninsula.

From the mountains to the coastlines and everything within the city itself, Busan is a city that requires multiple trips just to be able to experience it all. It offers the largest seafood market, and this South Korean port city even has some of the most vibrant beaches in the country.

Busan is also famous for its 4-floor, all-encompassing department store. Officially the largest department store in the world, it offers the hottest brands, the finest foods and numerous entertainment and relaxation options like aquarium, indoor ice rink, etc.

For more information about your trip to Busan, click the links below.

Jeju Island

Located southwest of the Korean Peninsula is the largest island of Korea, Jeju Island. The island is one of the most relaxing vacation spots found in Korea thanks to its unique local atmosphere and beautiful natural environment. The volcanic lava tubes that make up nearly 10% of the island’s area are a designated UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

You can have a n interesting experience in Jeju by visiting Play K Pop museum, and the Osulloc Tea museum which features a teacup gallery, roasting space, and a stone house where tea-tasting sessions are conducted

For more information about your trip to Jeju, click the links below.

BUSINESS HOURS
  • Banks
    Weekday: 09:00-16:00 / Closed weekends & public holidays
    * Exceptions: Standard Chartered Bank weekdays 09:30-16:30, EVERRICH Bank weekdays 09:00-16:30 / Closed weekends & public holidays
  • Government Offices and Organizations
    Weekdays 09:00-18:00 / Closed weekends & public holidays
  • Post Offices
    Weekdays 09:00-18:00 / Closed weekends & public holidays
    Website: www.koreapost.go.kr (Korean, English)
  • Department Stores
    Monday-Thursday 10:30-20:00, Friday-Sunday 10:30-20:30 / Closed days vary by store
    * Typically, department stores are closed one day a month, so we recommend checking before visiting
KOREAN CURRENCY & EXCHANGE INFO
Korea's official monetary unit is the won.
Bills
fifty thousand won
(o-man-won)
ten thousand won
(man-won)
five thousand won
(o-cheon-won)
one thousand won
(cheon-won)
Coins
five hundred won
(o-baek-won)
one hundred won
(baek-won)
fifty won
(o-sip-won)
ten won
(sip-won)
Credit Card

Most of the businesses in Korea widely use and accept payment by credit cards, including at major hotels, department stores, and general shops. Visa, MasterCard, American Express and other credit cards can be used; however check the service availability before making purchases as some stores may not provide this service.

Money Exchange

When you need to exchange your foreign currency into Korean won, visit a bank or authorized exchange service center. Banks are generally open 09:00-16:00 on weekdays, with exceptions to certain banks that operate 09:30-16:30 such as EVERRICH Bank.

For more info’ about Money Exchange in korea.


Currency Converter
www.xe.com/currencyconverter

(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Swedish, Arabic)

ELECTRICITY & COMMUNICATIONS
Electricity and Voltage

The standard voltage in Korea is 220 volts at 60 Hertz, and the outlet has two round holes. If you do not have a multi-voltage travel adapter, you may ask to borrow or purchase one from your hotel's front desk. You can also find them at the airport, retail stores, major duty-free shops, and even convenience stores.

Mobile Phone Rentals and Roaming Service

Korea's major airports, including Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae and Jeju International Airports, have roaming centers, operated by local network service providers. Visitors can get their mobile devices connected for roaming here after a simple registration process. In addition to roaming services, SIM Card purchase, Wi-Fi egg rentals and even smart phone rentals are available. More information about the fees, location of roaming centers and other details can be found on the service provider's official website.

Roaming services of major network carriers
  • Kt Roaming Center website :  globalroaming.kt.com (Korean, English, Chinese, Vietnamese)
  • SK TELECOM Roaming Center website :  www.sktroaming.com (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
  • LG U+ Roaming Center website :  www.uplus.co.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
SIM Card Purchase (Korea SIM card)

Travelers can purchase a SIM card to insert in their personal cell phone device to enjoy unlimited data or receive a personal number while traveling in Korea. These prepaid SIM cards usually cost less than roaming services and offer unlimited data for a period of 5, 10 or 30 days. The SIM cards can be purchased at CU and 7-Eleven convenience stores at Incheon International Airport and Korea SIM Card’s official website.

SIM Card Retail Locations
  •  Convenience stores (airport, downtown, etc.) : Incheon International Airport (7-Eleven, CU) and limited 7-Eleven branch stores (Myeong-dong, Dongdaemun, Jongno, & Haeundae)
  •  Korea SIM Card website :  www.krsim.net  (English, Chinese)
Wifi

Wifi service is often provided in public places such as airports, train stations, and bus terminals in Korea. PC rooms and internet cafes are also great places to go and they are mostly open 24 hours.

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
Emergency Calls
  • Police Department : +82-112
  • Fire Department : +82-119
  • Medical Emergencies : +82-119
1330 Korea Travel Hotline
  • Tel : +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, Malay)
  • Website : www.visitkorea.or.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, French, Spanish, German, Russian)
Diplomatic Missions in Korea
LOST 112 (Lost and Found Center)
  • Tel : +82-2-182
  • Address : National Police Agency, 97, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 서대문구 통일로 97 경찰청)
  • Website : www.lost112.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
Local Telephone Directory (Assistance)
Medical Facilities for International Travelers

Many of Korea’s large hospitals operate an International Health Care Center, catering to international visitors. These centers offer top-notch medical services and have expert interpreters available to assist with the entire process, from reservations to treatments and follow-up appointments.

Medical Facilities information
https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TRV/TV_ENG_1_5.jsp
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