| Business
Hours |
|
Government offices are open between the hours of
9 a.m. and 6 p.m. from March to October and between
November to February. On Saturdays, they open at 9
a.m. and close at 5 p.m. Most private businesses open
at 8:30 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. but some are open
until late evening. Banks are a major exception. Their
business hours are 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.
All banks and businesses are required by law to close
on Sundays and national holidays. Foreign diplomatic
missions in Seoul generally maintain strict business
hours. They are usually open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
on weekdays and are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and
their national holidays.
Major department stores are open from 10:30 a.m.
to 7:30 p.m., including Sundays, and are closed one
day during the week. Smaller shops tend to be open
from early morning until late evening every day of
the week.
|
| Religious
Services |
|
A wide range of religions are practiced in Korea. Buddhism,
Christianity and Confucianism are the three most popular
ones. Some places of worship conduct services in English
and other languages as well as in Korean. For further
informaion, consult the Saturday edition of the Korea
Times or The Korea Herald.
|
|
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.
|
| Eletricity
|
|
In Korea, outlets for both 110 and 220 volts are
usually available, although many newer hotels have
only 220 volt current. Always check the voltage of
the power supply before using equipment.
|
| Tax
|
| A 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 automatically added onto the
bill. |
| Tipping
|
| Tipping
is not a traditional Koeran custom. A 10% service charge
is added to the bill at all tourist hotels and tipping
is not expected. It is not necessary to tip a taxi driver
unless he assists you with luggage or provides an extra
service. |
| Lost
& Found |
|
If you should misplace any property or leave it on
public transport, the following office will help you:
Lost and Found Center of the Seoul Metropolitan Police
Bureau: 102, Hongik-dong, Songdong-gu,
Seoul. (02) 299-1282, Fax: 299-1282 (Korean speakers
only)
|
|
Tourist Complaint Center |
|
Overseas visitors to Korea who experience any inconvenience
or who have any suggestions should call or write the
Tourist Complaint Center, operated by the Korea National
Tourism Organization.
Address: K.P.O Box 1879, Seoul
110-618, Korea
Telephone: (02) 735-0101 Fax: 777-0102
|
|
Tourist Information Services
|
 Information
and assistance are readily available at KNTO's Tourist
Information Center (TIC) and at information counters at
the three international airports and at major tourist
sites. They provide city maps, brouchures and useful information
on tours, shopping, dining and accommodations. The hours
of operation differ somewhat around the country, but KNTO's
TIC and the Seoul City Tourist Information Center are
open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Nov - Feb. from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) |
Seoul
KNTO Tourist Information Center
(02) 7299-498/9
-Kimpo Int'l Airport
(Terminal 1) (02)665-0088/6
(Terminal 2) (02)665-0986
Seoul City Tourist Information Center
(02) 735-8688, 731-6337
-Chongno 5-ga (02)272-0348
-It'aewon (02)794-2490
-Kwanghwamum (02)735-0088
-Myong-dong (02) 757-0088
-Toksugung (02)756-0045
-Seoul Express Bus Terminal (02)537-9198
-City Air Terminal (02) 566-4331
Kyongju
Kyongju Railroad Station (0561) 772-3843
Pulguksa Temple (0561)746-4747
Kyongju Express Bus Terminal (0561) 772-9289
Pusan
Kimhae Int'l Airport (051) 973-1100
Pusan Railroad Station (051) 463-4938
Pusan Int'l Passenger Terminal (051)
463-3471
Cheju
Cheju Int'l Airport (064) 42-0032
Cheju Int'l Passenger Terminal (064)58-7181
Chungmun Tourist Center (064)38-1201/4
|
|
Useful Tips
|
|
Greeting
Greeting and saying "thank you"
are very important to Koreans. Words of greeting
and thanks are always said with a bow of the
head. The depth of the bow depends on the
relative seniority of the two speakers.
Friendship
Koreans do not appreciate an overly outgoing
style and they generally limit direct physical
contact to a courteous handshake. However,
as one gets to know Koreans better, a greater
familiarity becomes possible. In fact, foreigners
are often quie surprised to see men, especially
young men, walking in the street with their
arms around each other's shoulders and women
walking hand in hand. Touching close friends
while talking to them is perfectly acceptible
in Korea. Public displays of affection between
the sexes, however, such as hugging and kissing,
are regarded as unseemly.
Visiting Manners
Koreans traditionally sit, eat, and sleep
on the floor, so shoes are always removed
when entering a Korean home. Bare feet can
be offensive to old people, so it is best
to wear socks or stockings when visiting families.
Hospitality
There is no such thing as "going Dutch"
among Koreans. The visitor should be prepared
to be either host or guest.
Restrooms
There are many, public restrooms in Korea.
It is also perfectly acceptible to use the
restrooms in office buildings, hotels, shops,
and restaurants. Sometimes only Asian-style
restrooms are available, but often western-style
restrooms are also provided.
Table Manners
It is important to talk too much during a
meal. Real appreciation of the food and service
is gratefuuly received. It is impolite to
blow your nose when anyone present is eating.
|
|
| Emergencies
|
|
Police Dial 112
Fire & Ambulance Dial 119
(Korean speakers only)
The hotel front desk or hotel manager can arrange
for a doctor or an ambulance in an emergency. If you
need a doctor on the street, ask a policeman or passersby
for assistance. A police box can be found on every
major street. In addition, Asia Emergency
Assistance provides a 24-hour emergency service
for foreigners, acting as a link between patient and
the Korean hospitals for a fee. For details, contact
Asia Emergency Assistance (AEA)
Address: 1/Fl., S-12, 274-14, UN Village, Hannam-dong,
Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Telephone: (02) 790-7561 Fax: (02) 790-6785
|
| Medical
Care |
|
English is spoken in some general hospitals, and the
larger ones, such as Samsung Medical Center,
Severance Hospital or the Asan Medical Center,
have international clinics where bilingual nurses can
provide you with assistance. It is advisable to carry
traveler's insurance.
Samsung Medical Center
Address: 50, Irwon-dong,
Kangnam-gu, Seoul
Telephone: (02) 3410-2114
International Clinic: (02) 3410-0200
Hours: 09:00-16:00 on Weekdays
09:00-12:00 on Saturdays
Severance Hospital
Address: 134, Shinch'on-dong,
Sodaemun-gu, Seoul
Telephone: (02) 361-5114
International Clinic: (02)361-6540
Hours: 08:30-11:30 and
13:30-15:30 on Weekdays
08:30-11:30 on Saturdays
Asian Medical Center (Chung-ang
Hosp.)
Address: 388-1, P'ungnap-dong,
Songp'a-gu, Seoul
Telephone: (02) 224-3114
International Clinic: (02) 224-5001
Hours: 08:30-17:30 on Mon, Wed, Fri.
|
| Foreign
Banks in Korea |
|
Seoul Branches |
|
|
|
Pusan Branches and Other Branches
|
|
|
|
Korea Banks |
|
|
| Newspapers
|
|
There are two English-language dailies, the Korea
Times and The Korea Herald, which are published daily
except Mondays for the Times and Sundays for the Herald.
These newspapers are available at most newsstands
and in many hotel gift shops. Weekly newspapers Courrier
de la Coree and Korea News Review published by the
Korea Herald, provide a summary of major happenings.
There are also several monthly magazines such as Korea
Business World and Business Korea. Many of the international
newspapers, magazines, books about Korea and major
foreign language publications are available at most
deluxe hotels and some bookstores in town.
|
| TV
& Radio |
|
Korea has four TV networks and 5 channels: channels
7 & 9 are KBS, channel 11 is MBC, channel 6 is SBS
and channel 13 is EBS. In addition, the American Forces
Korean Network (AFKN) is operated by and for the U.S.
military on UHF channel 34. Clear reception of AFKN
may be difficult outside of the Seoul area. Along with
the national broadcasting networks, there are also many
cable TV channels specializing in a wide field of programming
including news, movies, entertainment, and tourist information.
By using the Mugunghwa Satellite, Korea's first orbiting
transmitter, two satellite TV channels began operation
in July 1996. Korea will be the third country in the
world to adopt the new, state-of-the-art digital broadcasting
system instead of the older analog technology.
There are also eight Korean radio stations, including
two AFKN U.S. military stations which broadcast in English
on AM 549 kHz and FM 102.7 MHz.
|
|
Currency & Credit Cards
|
 The
unit of Korean currecy is the won (indicated as W). Coin
denominations are W1, W5, W10, W100 and W500, but W1 and
W5 coins are not commonly used anymore. Bank notes are
W1,000, W5,000, and W10,000. Foreign bank notes and traveler's
checks can be converted into Korean Won at foreign exchange
banks and other authorized money exchangers. The exchange
rate is subject to fluctuation, but US$1 was equivalent
to about W900 as of Oct. 1997.
International credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard,
American Express, Diners Club, and JCB are widely accepted
at the major department stores and restaurants in the
larger cities. You may be requested to show your passport.
|
| Domestic
Post |
|
 The
easiest way to post a letter or a package is to ask
the front desk of your hotel, but you can also use
the post office directly. Standard-sized letters or
postcards can be mailed directly at any mailbox or
post office. For nonstandard sizes, the rate varies
with weight and these should be taken to the post
office.
|
| Time
Differences |
|
The following world time chart shows the time differences
between Seoul and other major cities. Korea does not have
Daylight Savings Time. |
| City |
Time |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Seoul, Tokyo |
1 |
4 |
7 |
10 |
13 |
16 |
19 |
22 |
| Taipei, Manila, Hongkong,
Kuala Lumpur, Singapore |
24* |
3 |
6 |
9 |
12 |
15 |
18 |
21 |
| Bangkok, Jakarta |
23* |
2 |
5 |
8 |
11 |
14 |
17 |
20 |
| New Delhi, Calcutta |
22* |
1 |
4 |
7 |
10 |
13 |
16 |
19 |
| Teheran, Kuwait, Jeddah |
19* |
22* |
1 |
4 |
7 |
10 |
13 |
16 |
| Hamburg, Rome, Paris, Amsterdam |
17* |
20* |
23* |
2 |
5 |
8 |
11 |
14 |
| London, Madrid |
16* |
19* |
22* |
1 |
4 |
7 |
10 |
13 |
| Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo |
13* |
16* |
19* |
22* |
1 |
4 |
7 |
10 |
| New York, Montreal, Bogota,
Toronto |
11* |
14* |
17* |
20* |
23* |
2 |
5 |
8 |
| Chicago, Houston |
10* |
13* |
16* |
19* |
22* |
1 |
4 |
7 |
| Vancouver, Seattle, San
Francisco, Los Angeles |
8* |
11* |
14* |
17* |
20* |
23* |
2 |
5 |
| Sydney, Melbourne |
2 |
5 |
8 |
11 |
14 |
17 |
20 |
23 |
|
|
* Previous day
|
| Public
Telephones |
|
There aer three types of public telephones in Korea:
blue coin telephones, gray coin telephones and grey
card telephones. All three types can be used for both
local and long distance calls. A local call costs W50
for three minutes. Long distance calls cost considerably
more. Time can be extended by depositing more money.
Blue telephones accept W10 and W100 coins and gray ones
accept W10, W50 and W100 coins. Change from your call
will not be returned. Card telephones may be used to
make international calls as well as local and long distance
calls. Telephone cards come in W2,000, W3,000, W5,000
and W10,000 units and can be purchased in shops close
to telephone booths and in banks. |
|
| Overseas
Calls |
|
To make an international call, first dial the international
access code 001 or 002 or 008, then the country code,
area code and finally the individual numbers.
- Operator-assisted calls & collect call
Dial 0077. For more information on operator-assisted
calls, dial 0074.
- Telephone directory services
Dial 080-211-0114. Toll free.
English-speaking operators are available.
|
|
D.D.D. codes
for major cities in Korea
| City |
Code |
City |
Code |
| Seoul |
(02) |
Suwon |
(0331) |
| Pusan |
(051) |
Sokch'o |
(0392) |
| Taegu |
(053) |
Kangnung |
(0391) |
| Inch'on |
(032) |
Kyongju |
(0561) |
| Kwangju |
(062) |
Cheju |
(064) |
| Taejon |
(042) |
|
|
|
|
* Telephone charges are based on regional area and
distance.
|
|
