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Traveling in Korea is not limited to a specific season
but is enjoyable all year-round. The traditional national
holidays, however, are usually a cue for Koreans to
visit their hometowns and families, and during these
times up to a quarter of the population may be on the
move. If you plan to travel during one of these holidays,
it is advisable to make travel and accommodation arrangements
at least three months in advance.
A. Lunar New Year's Day: Feb. 7-9
B. Summer Vacation: The last week of July through the
third week of August
C. Ch'usok (Korean Thanksgiving Day): the 15th day of
the eighth lunar month. Sept. 15-17
D. The New Year holiday season: The end of the year
- January 3rd and adjacent weekends
When making travel plans, you should consider including
some of the regional festivals that are staged throughout
the year.
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| National
Holidays |
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Koreans observe their holidays in a variety of ways.
Officially the Gregorian calendar is observed, though
some holidays are based on the Oriental lunar calendar.
Festival days in the countryside are observed according
to traditional customs. In the cities, many people
augment these traditional holidays with parties and
family gatherings. During national holidays, offices
and banks are closed, whereas palaces, museums, most
restaurants, markets, department stores, cinemas and
amusement facilities are usually open. Taxis and other
forms of transportation are always available.
The first two days of the new year are celebrated
as a time for family gatherings. Various traditional
folk ceremonies and celebrations are also held.
- Feb. 7-9: Lunar New Year's Day (Sollal)
The lunar new year is one of the most important events
of the year. It is celebrated in a similar way to
January 1st, but on a grander scale. Most businesses
are closed and people will take several days off to
visit their hometowns. Many families perform ceremonies
to honour their ancestors,traditional foods are eaten
and folk games are played.
- Mar.1: Independence Movement Day
This day commemorates the Declaration of Independence
that was proclaimed on 1 March, 1919 while the nation
was under Japanese colonization. A reading of the
declaration takes place during a special ceremony
in Seoul's T'apkol Park, where the document was first
read to public.
Trees are planted across the country as part of the
nation's vast reforestation program.
This day is celebrated with various programs for
children. Parks, zoos and amusement parks are crowded
with excited and colorfully dressed children.
- May 14: Buddha's Birthday ( the eighth day
of the fourth month by the lunar calendar)
Elaborate and solemn rituals are held at many Buddhist
temples across the country and lanterns are displayed
in the streets and in temple courtyards. In the evening,
these lanterns are carried in colorful parades.
This day is set aside to honour the soldiers and
civilians who have sacrificed their lives for their
country. The largest ceremony is held at the National
Cemetery in Seoul.
- July 17: Constitution Day
This holiday commemorates the proclamation of the
Constitution of the Republic of Korea on July 17,
1948.
This day commemorates the Japanese acceptance of
the Allied terms of surrender and the resulting liberation
of Korea in 1945.
Ch'usok is the Korean Thanksgiving Day and
the most important traditional holiday of the year.
It is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar
month to celebrate the harvest and to give thanks
for the bounty of the earth. People visit their family
tombs to present offerings to their ancestors with
the year's new crops and fruits.
- Oct. 3: National Foundation Day
This day commemorates the legend of the founding
of the first Korean Kingdom, the Ko-Choson Kingdom,
in 2333 B.C. by the god-king Tan-gun.
Christmas is observed as a national holiday in Korea,
as in many other countries.
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Approximately 280 inbound travel agents operate in
Korea. These agents are all government-registered
and organize a wide range of nationwide tours. Group
tours, package tours, incentive tours, special interest
tours, international convention tours, and F.I.T.'s
are all available to make your trip more enjoyable.
Most of the agencies are large, well-known organizations.
They are normally affiliated with hotels and airlines,
and handle inbound business through overseas branches
or sister agents. Some agents operate their own tour
coaches.
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Air Routes
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Korea has three international airports: Kimpo International
Airport in Seoul, Kimhae International Airport in
Pusan, and Cheju International Airport on Chejudo
Island. To match the increasing popularity of Korea
as a tourist destination, Kimpo International Airport,
the main gateway to Korea, has been expanded and equipped
with state-of-the-art air traffic control facilities
and support systems. Most major international airlines
maintain regular flight services, with over 500 flights
per week between Seoul and the major cities in Asia,
teh Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Kimhae and Cheju International Airports operate direct
flights to and from Japan. Kimhae Airport offers flights
to Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Nagoya and Sendai.
Flights are available at Cheju Airport to Tokyo, Osaka,
Fukuoka and Nagoya.
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Sea Routes
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Korea has established international sea routes to Japan
and China. Pusan is the country's largest port and second
largest city. This international seaport is the main
gateway to Korea for visitors who arrive by sea, especially
from Japan. The Pukwan Ferry, Korea Ferry, and Korea
Marine Express Companies provide regular services between
Korea and Japan, while the Weidong Ferry and Tianjin
Ferry provide regular services to China from the Inch'on
seaport. Temporary entry for private cars is allowed
for passengers arriving by ferry, providing drivers
obtain the proper documentation.
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- Korea - Japan Through Ticket
This ticket enables the holder to travel between Korea
and Japan by train, taking the ferry crossing between
Pusan and Shimonoseki. The system is jointly operated
by Aju Travel Service in Korea and Nippon Travel Agency
in Japan.
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Passport
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Any foreign visitors wanting to enter the Republic
of Korea must have a valid passport. Those who have
no nationality must obtain an entry permit issued
by a Korean embassy or consulate abroad in lieu of
a passport. A laissez-passer issued by the U.N. is
also recognized as valid.
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Visa
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Visitors with confirmed outbound tickets may stay in
Korea for up to 15 days without visas. Exceptions to
this apply to:
1) Persons who have no nationality.
2) Citizens from countries which do not have diplomatic
relations with Korea, i.e. Cambodia, Cuba, and Laos.
3) Citizens from China, India, Iran, Mongolia, Myanmar,
Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam in Asia;
Nigeria and Ghana in Africa; Russia, Ukraine, Belarus,
Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhistan, Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan, Tadjikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Albania,
Croatia, Macedonia, and Bosnia-Hercegovina in Europe.
Visitors who plan to stay in Korea for longer than
15 days must obtain visas before coming to Korea. Special
visa exemptions exist between Korea and the countries
listed right, provided that their citizens do not participate
in remunerative activities while visiting the Korea.
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Countries
under Visa Exemption Agreements
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Region
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Country
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Period
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Europe
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Austria |
90 Days |
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Belgium |
90 Days |
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Bulgaria |
90 Days |
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Czech
Republic |
90 Days |
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Denmark |
90 Days |
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Finland |
90 Days |
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France |
90 Days |
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Germany |
90 Days |
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Greece |
90 Days |
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Hungary |
90 Days |
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Iceland |
90 Days |
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Ireland |
90 Days |
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Italy |
90 Days |
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Liechtenstein |
90 Days |
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Luxemburg |
90 Days |
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Malta |
90 Days |
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Netherlands |
90 Days |
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Norway |
90 Days |
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Poland |
90 Days |
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Romania |
90 Days |
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Spain |
90 Days |
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Sweden |
90 Days |
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Switzerland |
90 Days |
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United
Kingdom |
90 Days |
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Asia &
Oceania
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Bangladesh |
90 Days |
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Israel |
90 Days |
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Malaysia |
90 Days |
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New
Zealand |
90 Days |
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Pakistan |
90 Days |
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Singapore |
90 Days |
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Thailand |
90 Days |
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Turkey |
90 Days |
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Americas
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Antigua
& Barbuda |
90
Days |
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Barbados |
90 Days |
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Canada |
180Days |
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Colombia |
90 Days |
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Costa
Rica |
90 Days |
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Commonwealth
of Dominica |
90 Days |
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Dominican
Republic |
90 Days |
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Grenada |
90 Days |
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Haiti |
90 Days |
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Jamaica |
90 Days |
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Mexico |
90 Days |
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Nicaragua |
90 Days |
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Peru |
90 Days |
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St.
Kitts-Nevis |
90 Days |
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St.
Lucia |
90 Days |
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St.
Vincent & the Grenadines |
90 Days |
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Surinam |
90 Days |
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Trinidad
& Tobago |
60 Days |
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Africa
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Liberia |
90 Days |
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Lesotho
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60 Days |
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Morocco |
90 Days |
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Tunisia
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30 Days |
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Extending a Visa
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A person with a valid visa for Korea who wishes to
extend the visa must apply to the local immigration
office at least one week before the expiration of the
visa. In general, tourist visas are not extended.
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Alien Registration
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There are two types of visas issued by a Korean embassy
or consulate depending on the length of stay. One is
a short-term visa for visitors who wants to stay up
to 90 days; the other is a special long-term visa, visitors
are required to apply for alien registration at a local
immigration office within 90 days of arrival.
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For further information, contact
any of the following offices:
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Seoul Immigration Office: (02) 650-6239
Kimpo Airport Immigration Office: (02) 664-7614/1284
Inch'on Immigration Office: (032) 882-0544
Pusan Immigration Office: (051) 461-3010
Kimhae Airport Immigration Office: (051) 972-1610/3
Cheju Immigration Office: (064) 22-3494, 21-3494 |
| Regular
Package Tours |
| Regular
package group tours are recommended for the individual
traveler visiting Korea. They offer considerable savings
over an independent tour and will also provide more
opportunity to experience the wide variety of things
to see and do in Korea. |
| Independent
Travel |
| For people
who plan to travel independently, it is important to collect
information and make reservations before you start in
order to maximize your enjoyment of Korea. You should
inquire at a travel agent or the nearest KNTO (Korea National
Tourism Organization) branch office for information or
reservations. |
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