Airport
The Seoul Airport is 17 km from the city and can be contacted through tel: 822 660-2252 of fax: 822 663-8833. Among its facilities are car rental, airport hotels and baggage storage. International passengers need to pay a 9,000-won airport passenger service tax, which can be paid at airport banks, major hotels, tour companies, and some downtown banks. Domestic travelers' departure tax is included in ticket prices. There is nothing additional to pay at the airport.

Visas
Visas are not required of transit passengers or tourists who do not intend to stay in Korea for more than 15 days and hold confirmed outbound tickets.

Currency
The unit of currency is the South Korean won. Coins come in 1-, 5-, 10, 50-, 100- and 500-won denominations, although 1- and 5-won coins are no longer commonly used. Paper denominations come in 1,000-, 5,000-, and 10,000-won notes. Click here for currency conversion.

Foreign exchange banks and authorized money exchangers can convert foreign currency and traveler's checks.

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Credit Cards
International credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, and JCB are widely accepted at major hotels, department stores and restaurants in the larger cities. You may be requested to show your passport.

Tipping
Tipping is not a custom in Korea, although locals and visitors are free to do so when they are pleased with an exceptionally good service. Tourist hotels will add a 10% service charge to your bill.

Useful Numbers
Police: 112
Fire Department and Ambulance: 119
Lost and Found Center (run by Seoul Metropolitan Police Bureau): 298-1282 or 299-1282
Tourist Information Center (Seoul): 735-8688; 731-6337
Tourist Information Center (Kimp'o International Airport): 665-0086; 665-0088; 665-0986
Tourist Assistance Center (Seoul): 1330
In areas other than the 22 registered cities: 080-757-2000 (toll-free)
Visa: 00818-00-908-8212
MasterCard: 0079-811-887-0823

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Electricity
Two electrical currents -- 110 volts and 220 volts -- are used in South Korea, with a large number of tourist hotels having 220-volt outlets. So make sure to check the socket's voltage before plugging in electrical equipment.

Health Risks
Potable water is available only at top hotels, so visitors should always ask to make sure. Prior to your trip, consult your doctor on immunizations you might need (e.g. tetanus, typhoid, cholera and hepatitis A and B) and about malaria suppressants if you're planning to go to rural areas. Bring all prescription and over-the-counter medicine you might require.

There have been reports of a rise in the incidence of bacterial dysentery in the southern areas of South Korea, including Pusan, Ulsan, South Kyongsang Province, South Cholla Province, and Cheju Island. In addition, typhoid and hemorrhagic fever symptoms have also been recorded. So, travelers who are planning to visit these areas should take the necessary precaution.

Time Zone
GMT + 9, the same as Tokyo and Osaka

Business Hours
Government offices: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. From November to February, they close at 5 p.m. On Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Banks: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays; 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays
Major department stores: 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. including on Sundays
Smaller shops: early morning to late evening.

Trading at the Korea Stock Exchange is from Monday to Friday. There are three trading sessions: The morning session is from 9 a.m. to 12 noon; the afternoon session from 1 to 3 p.m.; the after-hours session from 3:10 to 3:40 p.m. At KOSDAQ, regular trading session is from 9 a.m. to 13 p.m., without recess, weekdays. Order can be placed orders can be placed from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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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.

Climate
Korea's climate is temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than in the winter. Generally, South Korea is warmer than North Korea. Climate variations are more pronounced along the south-north axis, resulting in visible differences in plant vegetation along this axis. Click here for 10-day weather forecast for Seoul.

Clothing
Young managers in Seoul are injecting a tinge of casualness into business dressing, but senior executives remain formal. If you want to impress your counterpart, especially if he is a senior manager, wear simple and dark suits.

GDP Growth Rate
7.1% in 1999, from 7.8% in 1998
7%-7.5% (forecast for 2000)

Inflation rate
-0.8% (1998 est.)

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Major Exports
Electronic and electrical machinery and equipment, steel and steel products, automobile, ships, machinery and mechanical appliances, textiles and garments, footwear, toys and sporting goods, household electrical appliances, telecommunication equipment, pharmaceuticals, general metalwares, coal, fish

Major Trading Partners
United States, Japan, Germany, Netherlands, UK, Singapore, Taiwan, Russia

Major Industries
Electronics, automobile production, chemical, shipbuilding, steel, textiles, clothing, footwear, food processing

Government
Republic with three branches of government: executive, legislative, judicial

Teledensity
2.1 persons per telephone

Geography
Located at 126 59' E and 37 34' N, in the west central part of the Korean Peninsula, Seoul is both the capital and the heart of the Republic of Korea. It is also an aviation hub of Northeast Asia. The city lies in a natural basin, surrounded by a series of mountains and hills, whose grandeur and magnificent scenic beauty make the capital city one of the most attractive major cities of the world. The Hangang (River) separates the entire length of Seoul into two distinct areas of north and south.
The Korean peninsula is located in Eastern Asia, its southern half bordering the Sea of Japan and Yellow Sea. The west coast is bound by the Korean Bay to the north and the Yellow Sea to the south, while the east coast is bound by the East Sea. South Korea extends for about 1,000 km. to the south and covers a total land area of 98,190 sq. km.

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Population
Korea: 49 millions
Seoul: 10.3 million

Ethnic Groups
Korean. Homogeneous except for about 20,000 Chinese

Language
Six dialects of the Korean language exist: central, northwest, northeast, southeast, southwest and Cheju. Except for the Cheju dialect, the other versions are similar enough for speakers to understand each other. English is widely understood in the cities.

Literacy Rate
98.3%

Religion
Christians (Protestants and Catholics)-49%; Buddhists-47%; Confucians-3%; pervasive folk religion (shamanism); Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way); others-1%