Airport
Air travel - Korea has 16 airports in operation and three more being built (Inchon International, Yangyang Airport and Muan Airport.) Getting to and from Seoul is incredibly easy. However, most Koreans think air travel is expensive and the focus in this country is on Seoul. Busan, Korea's second largest city, takes second place to the capital. You'd think there would be at least one flight a day to Busan from Yosu airport but there isn't. Instead, your option is a two hour trip to Gwangju and take a one hour flight from there. Some airports, like Yosu, only have flights to Seoul and to Cheju Island.

Visas
With an onward ticket visitors from almost anywhere - except countries not recognised by South Korea (Cuba, Laos & Cambodia) - can stay in the country for 30 days without a visa. If you're from Western Europe or Canada, you can get up to 90 days visa-free. Everyone else has to extend after their first 30 days. Extensions last for around 90 days, and if you know you're going to need one it's worth getting it before you leave home.

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Currency
Won (W). Notes are in denominations of W10,000, 5000 and 1000. W1000 is called Chon Won in Korean (chon means ‘one thousand’). Coins are in denominations of W500, 100, 50 and 10.

Credit Cards
Diners Club, Visa, American Express and MasterCard are widely accepted at major hotels, shops and restaurants in the larger cities.

Tipping
Tipping is not a customary practice. All hotels levy a 10% service charge.

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Useful Numbers
Country code: 82
International dialling code: 001
Ambulance: 119
Fire: 119
Police: 112
English Operator: 080-211 0114

Electricity
110/220 volts AC, 60Hz. Government policy is to phase out the 110 volt supply and many hotels now have a 220 volt supply.

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Health Risks
No particular risks, but you should consider vaccinations for hepatitis, typhoid, polio, tetanus & diphtheria.

Time Zone
GMT/UTC +9 hours

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Business Hours

Banking: Mon-Fri: 0930-1630; Sat: 0930-1330.
Business: Mon-Fri: 0900-1200, 1300-1800 or later; Sat: 0900-1300.
Government: Mon-Fri: 0900-1200, 1300-1800; Sat: 0900-1300 (Mar-Oct). Mon-Fri: 0900-1200, 1300-1700; Sat: 0900-1300 (Nov-Feb).
Shops: Mon-Sat: 1030-1930. Small shops open from early morning till late evening every day of the week.

Holidays
2008
1 Jan New Year.
6-8 Feb Sollal (Lunar New Year).
1 Mar Independence Movement Day.
1 May Labour Day (not an official public holiday but many companies and financial markets close).
5 May Children's Day.
12 May Buddha's Birthday.
6 Jun Memorial Day.
15 Aug Liberation Day.
13-15 Sep Harvest Moon (Chuseok).
3 Oct National Foundation Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2009
1 Jan New Year.
25-27 Jan Sollal (Lunar New Year).
1 Mar Independence Movement Day.
1 May Labour Day (not an official public holiday but many companies and financial markets close).
5 May Children's Day.
2 May Buddha's Birthday.
6 Jun Memorial Day.
15 Aug Liberation Day.
2-4 Oct Harvest Moon (Chuseok).
3 Oct National Foundation Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

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Climate
South Korea has an oceanic climate and is temperate all year around. The average temperature is 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit) and the annual precipitation amounts to 2,397 mm. South Korea has a rugged and mountainous terrain. The dominant topographical feature is the Taebaek Range. However, the country's highest elevation, Mount Halla (1,950 m), is on the island of Cheju-do. Only 15% of the land area is covered by plains, which are mostly located along the western coast. Most rivers rise in the mountains to the east, Naktog and Han-gang are the country's longest rivers.

Clothing
It may be rather cool in the early morning and evening, jackets or shirts with long sleeves are recommended. Koreans dress well, and you should dress accordingly to show respect for them. A formal suit and tie is almost always appropriate. Koreans dress up for city activities, especially in Seoul. Women dress modestly. Prepare to sit on the floor; avoid straight, tight skirts.

GDP Growth Rate
GDP growth rate: 3.1%

Inflation
3.6%

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Exports
electronic products, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, steel, ships; textiles, clothing, footwear; fish

Trading Partners
USA, Japan, Germany

Industries
Shipbuilding, cars, machinery, electronics, machinery, chemicals, textiles

Government
Republic.

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Geography
South Korea is located in Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea. Suncheon is a small city to the southeast of Kwangju in South Korea. During the Samhan Dynasty Suncheon City was known as the Territory of Mahan. On Jan 1, 1995, it was was reborn as "Suncheon City" after annexing Sungjukun.

Population
South Korea: 49 million
Suncheon: 155,400

Ethnic Groups
Koreans, expats (mostly American)

Languages
Korean, English widely taught in junior high and high school

Literacy
98%

Religion
Christianity, Buddhism, Confucianism, Shamanism