Information on Korea

Location National Symbols Climate Language History				Religion Customs International Events Currency Phone Calls/Internets/Post Office				National Holidays Business Hours Clothing Voltage Handy Korean Phrases

National Symbols

NATIONAL FLAG

The Korean flag is called "Taegeukgi" in Korean. Its design symbolizes the principles of the yin and yang in Oriental philosophy. The circle in the center of the flag is divided into two equal parts. The upper red section represents the proactive cosmic forces of the yang. Conversely, the lower blue section represents the responsive cosmic forces of the yin. The two forces together embody the concepts of continual movement, balance and harmony that characterize the sphere of infinity. The circle is surrounded by four trigrams, one in each corner. Each trigram symbolizes one of the four universal elements: heaven (), earth (), fire(), and water ().

 

NATIONAL FLOWER

The national flower of Korea is the mugunghwa, rose of sharon. Every year from July to October, a profusion of mugunghwa blossoms graces the entire country. Unlike most flowers, mugunghwa is remarkably tenacious and able to withstand both blight and insects. The flower¡¯s symbolic significance stems from the Korean word mugung, meaning immortality. This word accurately reflects the enduring nature of Korean culture, and the determination and perseverance of the Korean people.

National Anthem

Our national anthem is "Aegukga," which means "Love the Country". In 1896, the Dongnip Sinmun (Independence News) published various versions of lyrics for this song. It is not known exactly what music they were sung to in its early days. Records show that a Western-style military band was formed during the time of the Dae-han Empire (1897-1910) and that the "Dae-han Empire Aegukga" was composed in 1902 and played at important national functions.

The original words of Aegukga appeared in a written form around 1907 to inculcate allegiance to the nation and foster the spirit of independence as the country faced threats of foreign annexation. Over the years, the lyrics have gone through several versions until they were adopted as the national anthem in the present form in 1948.

Before the birth of the Republic in 1948, the words were often sung to the tune of the Scottish folk song, Auld Lang Syne. Maestro Ahn Eak-tay (1905-1965), then living in Spain, felt that it was inappropriate to sing this patriotic song to the tune of another country's folk song. So, he composed new music to go with the lyrics in 1935, and the Korean Provisional Government in exile adopted it as the national anthem. While Koreans outside the country sang the anthem to the new tune, those at home continued to use Auld Lang Syne until Korea was liberated in 1945.

The Republic of Korea Government in 1948 officially adopted the new version as the national anthem and began to use it at all schools and official functions.

Climate

Monthly Average temperature & rainfall

Four Distinct Seasons

Korea's climate is regarded as a continental climate from a temperate standpoint and a
monsoonal climate from a precipitation standpoint. The climate of Korea is characterized by
four distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter.

	Spring Spring lasts from late March to May and is warm. Various flowers, including the picturesque cherry blossom, cover the nation's mountains and fields during this time.
	Summer Summer lasts from June to early September. It is a hot and humid time of the year.
	Autumn Autumn lasts from September to November, and produces mild weather. It is the best season for visiting Korea.
	Winter Winter lasts from December to mid-March. It can be bitterly cold during this time due to the influx of cold Siberian air. Heavy snow in the northern and eastern parts of Korea makes favorable skiing conditions.

Language

The Korea Language: Hangeul

Hangeul was invented in 1443, during the reign of King Sejong. It is composed of 10 vowels and 14 consonants. Hangeul has 11 compound vowels, 5 glottal sounds.
The chart below represents the 24 Hangeul letters and their romanized equivalents.
'The Hunminjeongeum,' a historical document which provides instructions to educate people on the use of Hangeul, is registered with UNESCO. UNESCO awards a 'King Sejong Literacy Prize,' every year in memory of the inventor of Hangeul.

 

Hangeul written in syllabic units made up of two, three, or four letters.

The Korean Alphabet

- Consonants

¤¡	g, k	¤²	b, p	¤»	k
¤¤	n	¤µ	s	¤¼	t
¤§	d, t	¤·	ng, silent	¤½	p
¤©	l, r	¤¸	j	¤¾	h
¤±	m	¤º	ch

- Vowels

¤¿	a	¤Ç	o	¤Ð	yu
¤Á	ya	¤Ë	yo	¤Ñ	eu
¤Ã	eo	¤Ì	u	¤Ó	i
¤Å	yeo

History

The Prehistoric Age

Archaeological findings have indicated that the first settlements on the Korean Peninsula occurred 700,000 years ago.

Gojoseon (2333 - 108 B.C)

According to legend, the mythical figure Dan-gun founded Gojseon, the first Korean Kingdom, in 2333 B.C. Subsequently, several tribes moved from the southern part of Manchuria to the Korean Peninsula.

The Three Kingdoms Period (57 B.C. - A.D. 676)

The three kingdoms, Goguryeo (also known as "Koguryo"), Baekje and Silla, were established in the 1st century A.D. During this period, the kingdom's political systems, religions (Buddhism and Confucianism), and cultures developed.

The Unified Silla Kingdom and Balhae

The Unified Silla(676-935)

The Unified Silla Kingdom promoted the development of culture and arts, and the popularity of Buddhism reached its peak during this period. The Unified Silla Kingdom declined because of contention for supremacy among the noble classes, and was annexed by Goryeo in 935.

Balhae(698-926)

The Balhae Kingdom began to emerge just as the Goguryeo kingdom was on the verge of collapsing. Goguryeo General, Dae Joyeong founded Balhae along with his army of displaced peoples. At one point, Balhae became so powerful that it was able to acquire territories in northern and eastern parts of China. At those times, the Tang Dynasty of China referred to Balhae as 'the strong country by the sea in the east.' The significance of the Balhae Kingdom is greatly inherited from Goguryeo, including the land that it was able to retrieve.

The Goryeo Dynasty (918 - 1392)

The Goryeo Dynasty was established in 918. Buddhism became the state religion during this time and greatly influenced politics and culture. Famous items produced during this time include Goryeo celadon and the Tripitaka Koreana. Jikjisimgyeong, Buddhist scripture printed with the world's first movable metal type developed in Korea during Goryeo Dynasty, is at least 78 years older than the first Gutenberg Bible.
The Goryeo Dynasty's strength decreased gradually in the latter half of the 14th century.

The Joseon Dynasty (1392 - 1910)

The Joseon Dynasty was formed at the end of the 14th century. Confucianism became the state ideology and exerted a massive influence over the whole of society. The Joseon Dynasty produced Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, which was invented in 1443, during the reign of King Sejong. The dynasty's power declined later because of foreign invasions, beginning with the Japanese invasion of 1592.

The Japanese Colonial Period (1910 - 1945)

In 1876, the Joseon Dynasty was forced to adopt an open-door policy regarding Japan. The Japanese annexation of Korea concluded in 1910, and Korean people had to suffer under the Japanese colonial rule until the surrender of Japan in 1945, which ended World War II.

Establishment of the Korean Government (1945-1948)

Korea was liberated from Japanese oppression on August 15, 1945, but it soon faced the tragic division of North and South along the 38th parallel. Both regions were placed under temporary military rule by the U.S. and Soviet armies. In 1948 with the help of the United Nations, South Korea held an election on May 10th and elected Dr. Rhee Syngman president. On August 15th of that same year, an official declaration was made about the birth of the South Korean government. On the other hand, North Korea formed the Provisional People¡¯s Committee for North Korea, led by Kim Il-sung, in February 1946. On September 9, 1948, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea was officially founded.

The Korean War (1950-1953)

In the early hours of June 25th, 1950, North Korea attempted a forcible unification of North and South Korea by invading South Korea over the 38th parallel. In response, military help from over 16 nations helped defend South Korea against the threat of communism under the leadership of UN General Douglas MacArthur. China and the Soviet Union lent their military might to North Korea. The war continued over the next 3 years until coming to an end on July 27th 1953, with a peace agreement signed at Panmunjeom, located in the DMZ. Not only did the war ravage the peninsula, it also heightened hostile sentiments between the North and South, making reunification a difficult task.

The Aftermath of War (1954-Current)

The Rhee Syngman government focused on an anti-communist approach to government beginning in 1954, but in 1960 the government's power collapsed with the student's anti government movement, the 4.19 Revolution. In 1963, Park Chung-hee was elected president and ruled with a controversial iron fist for the next 17 years. President Park Chung-hee's 'Saemaeul Undong' (New Community Movement, an effort to modernize Korea that began in 1970) brought about much progress in South Korea, and the systematic approach to economic development also yielded increased exports and positive returns. But with the democratic movement in progress and the citizens becoming wary of such extended rule, Park Chung-hee's life ended in a 1979 assassination. Afterwards in 1980, Chun Doo-hwan came to power and continued to lead the nation with an authoritarian slant as had been the case with former rulers. His rule came to an end in 1987 after massive protests across the country demanded democracy. In 1988 the Roh Tae-woo government started off the year on a good note by successfully hosting the 1988 Seoul Olympics. His government went on to join the UN in 1991. The Kim Young-sam government which began in 1993 implemented a new system in which people were required to use their real names when making financial transactions, a much needed revolution at the time. In 1998, Kim Dae-jung was elected president and threw his efforts into overcoming the IMF financial catastrophe that hit Asia in 1997, and also hosted the 17th FIFA World Cup in 2002. President Kim Dae-jung was also the winner of the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize for his Sunshine Policy regarding North Korea. President Rho Moo-hyun's term began in 2003 aiming, to achieve economic growth, and develop Korea as the hus of Asia with a more democratic style of leadership

On the other hand, North Korea has been ruled by Kim Jeong-il since the death of Kim Il-Sung in 1994. Faced with dire economic situations, North Korea has begun to implement partial free trade in an effort to remedy the situation.

North and South Korea jointly signed an agreement on July 4th, 1972 concerning the reunification of the two Koreas, and in 2000 Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jeong-il took early steps to explore reunification, improving the economy, and solving the problem of separated families. The family reunification program, started in 1985, continues until this day. In 1998, South Korean citizens began to be admitted into North Korea to tour the Geumgangsan Diamond Mountains.

Religion

Buddhism

Buddhism first arrived in Korea in the 2nd year (A.D. 372) of the reign of King Sosurim of the Goguryeo Kingdom. After its introduction, Buddhism exerted a powerful influence in the Baekje Kingdom and Silla Kingdom. Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, which are designated as World Cultural Heritage sites by UNESCO, are Buddhist creations from the Silla Kingdom.
Buddhism has exercised a far-reaching influence on Korean culture throughout its long history. The nation's invaluable Buddhist heritage abides in buildings, sculptures, paintings and handicraft.

Protestantism Catholicism

Protestantism came to Korea after the signing of the Korean-American Treaty in 1882. Because Christianity challenged the basic values of Joseon society, its believers were subject to persecution in the early years, but as Christians took an increasingly active role in the anti-colonial struggle against the Japanese and churches promoted more educational opportunities, Christianity gained acceptance. Today Korean churches evangelize abroad, and approximately twenty five percent of the Korean population is Christian.
Catholicism first came to Korea as a western scholarly pursuit. Korean tributary missions to the imperial court of China took an interest in Jesuit missionary books and brought them back to Korea. In 1784 the first Korean was baptized in Beijing and returned to Korea to set up a house of worship. Despite considerable persecution by the government, numerous people joined the Catholic Church. Presently, over two million people belong to the church.

Confucianism

Confucianism became a common philosophy in ancient Korea. When it came into contact with fundamental Korean sentiments, Confucianism brought about profound changes and exerted considerable influence on the Korean people. It has been an indispensable component of the Korean moral system, way of life and national laws.
Confucianism, which was the major philosophy of the Joseon Dynasty, eventually gave rise to Silhak, or practical learning. Confucianism has deeply permeated the consciousness of Korean people and can be seen today in many forms, including two ceremonies that continue today: Jongmyo Jerye, the royal ancestral service at Jongmyo Shrine and Seokjeon Daeje, the worship rites at the Seonggyungwan in honor of Confucius, his disciples, and other celebrated Chinese and Korean Confucian scholars.

Shamanism

Various shamanistic practices are deeply ensconced in Korean life. Shamanism was similar with folk beliefs from ancient times. It is closely related to the primitive cults which practiced communal rites for the gods of heaven, and which were uninfluenced by Buddhist tradition. One distinguishing characteristic of Korean shamanism is that it seeks to solve human problems through a meeting between humans and the spirits. This can be seen in the various types of shamanistic rites which are still widely practiced even today.

Customs

Family Life

In traditional Korea, the typical family was large with three or four generations usually living together. Because infant mortality was high and a big family was thought of as a blessing, having many children was desired. However, the rapid industrialization and urbanization of the country in the 1960s and 1970s were accompanied by an effective birth control drive, and the average number of children in a family dramatically decreased to two or less in the 1980s.

Having a long Confucian tradition under which the eldest son takes over as head of the family, a preference for sons was prevalent in Korea. To tackle the problem of male preference, the government has completely rewritten family-related laws in a way that ensures equality for sons and daughters in terms of inheritance.

Industrialization of the country has made life more hectic and complicated. Young married couples have begun to separate from their extended families and start their own homes. Now almost all families are couple-centered nuclear families.

Names

The majority of Koreans have family names within one of a small set: Kim(about 21% of all Koreans), Yi(or Lee or Rhee, 14%), Park(or Pak, 8%), Choi(or Choe), Jeong(or Chung), Jang(or Chang), Han, Lim, etc. A Korean name consists of a family name, in almost every case one syllable, plus a given name usually of two syllables. The family name comes first. A Korean woman does not take her husband's family name, but their children take their father's family name.

Marriage

Koreans think marriage is the most important passage in one's life and a divorce is regarded as a disgrace not only for the couple but also for their families ¡ª even though the divorce rate is growing rapidly these days.
Today's typical wedding ceremony is somewhat different from what it was in old times: first a Western-style ceremony is usually held at a wedding hall or a church with the bride wearing a white dress and the groom wearing a tuxedo, then later in the day the bride and groom have a traditional ceremony at a different room in the venue, in colorful traditional costumes.

Jerye(Ancestral Memorial Rite)

According to a taditional Korean belief, when people die, their spirits do not immediately depart; they stay with descendants for four generations. During this period the deceased are still regarded as family members and Koreans reaffirm the relationship between ancestors and descendants through jerye on the special days like Sollal (Lunar New Year's Day) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day), as well as on the anniversary the ancestors passed away. Koreans also believe that people can live well and happily thanks to benefits their ancestors bestow upon them

Body Language

When you beckon to a person, do so with your palm down, and then flutter your hand up and down with your fingers touching together. It is not polite to beckon with your palm up ¡ª especially using only one finger, because Koreans do that only for dogs.

Ondol

Traditional Korean rooms have multiple functions. Rooms are not labeled or reserved for a specific purpose; there is no definite bedroom or dining room for example. Rather, tables and mats are brought in as needed. Most people sit and sleep on the floor on thick mats.
Underneath the floors are stone or concrete flues. Traditionally hot air was vented through the flues to provide heat. Clay or cement would be placed over the stones to protect the residents from noxious gasses. This type of under floor heating is called "ondol."
Nowadays hot water is piped through cement floors covered with linoleum.

Korean Food

A diverse array of foods and dishes can be found throughout Korea.
Korea was once primarily an agricultural nation, cultivating rice as their staple food since ancient times. These days Korean cuisine is characterized by a wide variety of meat and fish dishes along with wild greens and vegetables. Various fermented and preserved food, such as kimchi (fermented spicy cabbage), jeotgal (matured seafood with salt) and doenjang (fermented soy bean paste) are notable for their specific flavor and high nutritional value.

The prominent feature of a Korean table setting is that all dishes are served at the same time. Traditionally, the number of side dishes varied from 3 for the lower classes to 12 for royal family members. Table arrangements can vary depending on whether a noodle dish or meat is served. Formal rules have developed for table setting, demonstrating the attention people pay to food and dining. Compared to neighboring China and Japan, a spoon is used more often in Korea, especially when soups are served.

Gimjang

Gimjang is the age-old Korean practice of preparing winter kimchi, which has been passed down from generation to generation. Since very few vegetables are grown in the three or four winter month, gimjang takes place in early winter and provides what has become a staple food for Koreans. For Koreans, a dinner table without kimchi is unthinkable.

Traditional Korean Clothing (Hanbok)

The hanbok has been the Korean people's unique traditional costume for thousands of years. The beauty and grace of Korean culture can be seen in photographs of women dressed in the hanbok.
Before the arrival of Western-style clothing one hundred years ago, the hanbok was everyday attire. Men wore jeogori (Korean jackets) with baji (trosers) while women wore jeogori with chima (skirt). Today, the hanbok is worn on days of celebration such as wedding, Seollal (Lunar New Year's Day) or Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day).

Traditional Korean Houses

A traditional Korean house is called 'Hanok'. Hanok sought to create a living space based on the coexistence of nature and humans. Accordingly, the natural aspects of a traditional Korean houses range from the structure's inner layout to the building materials which were used. Another unique feature of traditional houses is their special design for cooling the interior in the summer and heating the interior in the winter. Since Korea has such hot summers and cold winters, the 'ondol gudeul,' a floor-based heating system and 'daecheong,' a cool wooden-floor style hall were devised long ago to help Koreans survive the frigid winters and to make the sweltering and humid summers bearable. These primitive types of heating and air-conditioning were so effective that they are still in use in many homes today.

International Events

2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan

The 17th FIFA World Cup, which took place on May 31st to June 30th, 2002, was the first World Cup to be co-hosted by two nations (Korea and Japan) as well as being the first World Cup to be held in Asia.

Brazil took the cup in the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan. 2nd place was Germany, 3rd was Turkey, and 4th was Korea. Korea emerged with a record of 4 wins, 1 tie, and 2 losses, becoming the first Asian nation to play in the semifinals. The Korean people came together at this unprecedented triumph, rallying en masse in the streets (City Hall and Gwanghwamun Gates were two of many gathering points) with the Red Devils at their center, showing their support. Streets flowed red from the sheer number of supporters who donned ¡®Be the Reds¡¯ t-shirts, throwing the World Cup Stadium and City Hall into the world limelight. Those gathering places have since become popular tourist haunts.

Official Name: 2002 FIFA WORLD CUP KOREA/JAPAN
Hosts: Korea/Japan
Host Cities (Korea): Seoul, Suwon, Incheon, Daejeon, Jeonju, Gwangju, Daegu, Ulsan, Busan, Seogwipo
Dates: May 31st to June 30th, 2002
Participants: 32 Nations
Participants in the Preliminaries: 195 Nations
Winner: Brazil
MVP: Oliver Kahn (Germany)

The 24th Olympic Games in Seoul

In 1988, for 16 days, Korea hosted the 24th Olympic Games. The games were held in Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi-do Province area as well as in four major cities throughout the country. 160 countries participated in the Seoul Olympic Games with 13,304 athletes competing.

The 1988 Seoul Olympic Games marked the second Olympic Games to be held in Asia, the first was held in Tokyo in 1964. The Olympic emblem of the ¡¯88 games incorporated the traditional Korean pattern of the ¡®samtaegeuk.¡¯ An image of the Korean tiger was used as the mascot of the games.
There were 23 official categories of events and other nonofficial events which included baseball and Taegwondo, as well as badminton and bowling exhibitions. The Seoul Olympic Games saw 241 gold medals, 234 silver medals, and 264 bronze medals. The former U.S.S.R brought home the most medals, with 55 gold, 31 silver, and 46 bronze. . East Germany ranked second in overall medals, United States third, and Korea fourth.
Korea successfully hosted the Olympic Games despite the cold war tensions at the time. Through these Olympics, Korea was able to share its rich history and culture with International community.

Dates: September 17 ~ October 1988
Venues: Seoul, Daejeon, Gwangju, Daegu, Busan, Suwon, Seongnam, Wondang
Number of participants: 13,304 people from 160 nations

The 10th Seoul Asian Games

The 10^th Seoul Asian Games were held in Seoul from September 20 to October 5 in 1986. 4,839 athletes from 27 Asian countries participated in the ¡®Ever onward¡¯ themed games. The Seoul Asian Games were held over a 16 day period with 25 categories of events. Successfully hosting the 1986 Asian Games helped well-prepare the county for the 1988 Olympic Games.
China attained the largest number of gold medals with a total of 94, Korea came in second with 93 gold medals, and Japan ranked third with 58. Iran had brought home 6 gold medals and India 5, ranking them fourth and fifth place respectively. This marked the first time Japan didn¡¯t dominate the games, and also showcased Korea¡¯s strengths to the world.

Dates: September 20 ~ October 5, 1986
Venue: Seoul
Number of participants: 4,839 people from 27 countries

14th Busan Asian Games

To help promote unity among the 3.7 billion people living in Asia, Busan hosted the 14^th Asian Games from September 9 to October 14 in 2002. 16 years after hosting its first Asian Games in 1986, Korea once again opened its doors to the world. This Asian Game marked the historical welcoming of North Korean athletes to the South. The large numbers of North Korean female supporters that came to cheer on their county¡¯s athletes touched the hearts of many.
In the Busan Asian Games, China brought home 150 gold, 84 silver, and 74 bronze medals. Korea claimed 96 gold, 80 silver, and 84 bronze medals. North Korea made a strong impression by bringing home 9 gold medals, 11 silver, and 13 bronze medals in its first international event in Korea.
Dates: September 29 ~ October 14, 2002
Venue: Busan
Number of participants: 11,000 people from 43 countries

2003 Summer Universiade Daegu

For eleven days, from August 21~31 in 2003, Daegu, Korea welcomed 70,000 university athletes from 174 countries to compete in the Summer Universiade. North Korea participated in the games hoping to send a message of peace and understanding to the International community during a time of conflict in the Middle East. This hope coincided with the main slogan of the event: ¡°Dreams for Unity.¡±
On the last day of the events, in the final round of men¡¯s volleyball, Korea proved victorious over Japan with a 3-2 win. This added to Korea¡¯s total medal count of 26 gold, 11 silver, and 15 bronze medals pushing them into third place in the overall medal standing. China held the No.1 spot, with Russia coming in second.

Date: August 21~31, 2003
Venue: Daegu, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province
Number of participating countries: 172

Currency

Denomination

Bills

10,000 won	5,000 won	1,000 won

Coins

500won	100won	50won	10won

* Buses and vending machines may only accept 1,000 won bills and coins.

Average Price List of Goods

0.5L water 600 won	An apple 1,000 won	A bagle 600 won	Ramyeon 550 won
Snack(small) 500 won	Sabalmyeon 500 - 2,000 won	Starbucks coffee Americano (tall) 3,000 won	Big Mac set in Mcdonald's 4,500 won
Bibimbap 5,000 - 8,000 won	Movie 7,000 - 8,000 won	A book (small) 8,000 - 12,000 won	CD 15,000 won
DVD 20,000 - 25,000 won	Subway fare (one service area) 700 won	PC room fare (for one hour) 1,000 - 2,000 won	* $1USD ¡Ö1,200 won

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATM
Foreign issued ATM cards may have limited use at ATMs in different countries. Please refer to your bank for more information.
 ¡°HanNet¡± ATM: Most foreign cards (VISA/PLUS, MASTER/CIRRUS, DINERS, JCB, AMEX) are accepted 24 hours a day. You may find these ATMs in Seoul Subway Line stations. Sometimes, convenienience stores like LG25, Mini Stop, and Buy the Way may also offer ATMs as well. Hotels, bus terminals, highway rest areas and shopping malls are some other places to look for ¡°HanNet¡± ATMs.
 Some bank branches may be equipped with Global ATMs that allows use of foreign cards.
Available between 8:00am. ~ 10:00pm.

Credit Card
Most restaurants, hotels and shops accept credit cards. You may not be able use credit cards at small businesses and in rural areas. You may also want to check whether your credit card is accepted or not by looking at door signs. Visa and Master are most common ones you can find.

Tax Refund

Any product with this ¡°Tax Free Shopping¡± sign will give you a refund on VAT. You must depart Korea within 3 months of the purchase.

How to Get Tax Refund:
1. Purchase your items at any shops with this ¡°Tax Free Shopping¡± sign and receive a payment slip.
2. When departing, you need to get a stamp issued from the customs officer after showing him the purchased items and payment slip.
3. At the Cash Refund Office in the airport, you can receive the amount of VAT. You may also be able to get a refund at the airport of your destination.
Most Tax Free Shopping centers are found either at department stores or shops in Myeong-dong and Cheongdam-dong areas.
For more information: Global Refund: 82-2-776-2170

VAT
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 included in the bill.


Tipping
Tipping is not customary in Korea. Sometimes, expensive restaurants and luxury hotels may add a service charge of 10%. Thus, you do not necessarily have to prepare for extra charges since it will be included in the bill

Shinhan Bank
- " Euromoney magazine designated Shinhan Bank as The Best Bank in Korea of 2000. It was also      recognized as having the best customer service for 3 consecutive years.
- " Shinhan Bank is one of the most trusted banks in Korea, and a specialized foreign exchange bank.

Services

- " Foreign currency exchange and remittance
- " Withdraw cash from global ATM

Phone Calls / Internets / Post Office

Public phone

There are three types of public telephones in Korea: coin-operated telephones, card phones, and credit card phones.
A local call costs 70 won (US$0.06) for three minutes. Intercity calls cost considerably more. Coin phones return coins that are not charged, but do not return change for partially used 100 won coins.
Card telephones can be used to make international calls as well as local and intercity calls. Telephone cards come in 2,000, 3,000, 5,000, and 10,000 denominations and are on sale in shops close to telephone boxes and in banks.
There are also credit card phones, which you can use with major credit cards.

Domestic Long- distance Calls (Area Codes)

[Metropolitan Cities]
Seoul(02), Incheon(032), Gwangju(062), Busan(051), Daegu(053), Daejeon(042), Ulsan(052)
[Provinces]
Gyeonggi-do(031), Gwangwon-do(033), Chungcheongbuk-do(043), Chungcheongnam-do(041), Jeollabuk-do(063), Jeollanam-do(061), Gyeongsangbuk-do(054), Gyeongsangnam-do(055), Jeju-do(064).

International Calls

[How to call Korea from overseas!]

When you make a phone call to Korea from abroad, first dial 82 (Country Code for Korea), then Area Code (except for the first number 0) , finally, dial the Phone Number you desire to call. For example: Calling Seoul (Area Code 02) with 777-7777 as the phone number, dial +82-2-777-7777.

[How to call overseas from Korea!]

First dial any of the following international call company numbers and then the country code, area code and finally the number you are calling.

Regular International Phone Call Carriers: 001, 002, 008 *Mobile Phone Carriers: 00345, 00365, 00388, 00700, 00727, 00766, 00770 and so on.

Pre-paid Phone Cards: Generally, since it is almost impossible to find budget mobile phone rentals, pre-paid phone cards are available at any convenient stores or news stands.

Regular International Phone Call Carriers

Carrier`s Number	001	002	008
Charge per minute (USA/Jpn/Chn)	288/840/1278 won	714/828/1278 won	696/810/1248 won

Mobile Phone International Carriers

Carrier`s Number	Charge per minute (USA/Jpn/Chn)
00345	252/336/714 won
00365	174/297/699 won
00388	188/288/588 won
00700	288/390/780 won
00727*	276/378/798 won
00766	246/324/702 won
00770*	186/318/390 won

* Updated on January, 2004
* these numbers may be used on a regular phone as well.

Internet

Internet service is offered in public places such as airports, train stations and bus terminals in Korea. PC bangs and internet cafes are also handy places to get internet service and easy to fine throughout the country. Many PC bangs are open 24-hours and some have snack bars with beverages, noodles, other snacks available.

Postal Service

Domestic First Class Mail: Up to 5g: 160 won/ From 5g to 25g: 190 won
Domestic Express Mail: Up to 5g: 240 won/ From 5g to 25g: 280 won

Packages for the local area: Up to 2kg: 1,500 won
Post Cards: 160 won per card

In Korea, the postal code is recommended but not mandatory.

National Holidays

Koreans officially follow the Gregorian calendar, though some holidays are based on the lunar calendar. During the official holidays, offices and banks are closed but palaces, museums, most restaurants, department stores, and amusement facilities are open. Seollal and Chuseok are most important traditional holidays for Koreans. Millions of people visit their hometowns to celebrate with their families during these periods. On Seollal, Koreans hold a memorial service for their ancestors and perform sebae, a formal bow of respect to their elders as a New Year¡¯s greeting.

[ Official Holidays ]

- New Year¡¯s Day (January 1)
The first day of the New Year is recognized and celebrated.

- Seollal (January - February)
Lunar New Year¡¯s Day (Seollal) is one of the most important traditional events of the year, still much more significant than January 1st. Most businesses are closed, and people take several days off to visit their hometowns to be with family. Members of the family get up early, put on their best clothes, and everyone bows to their elders as a reaffirmation of family ties. Feasts are held with specially prepared food such as ttokguk and manduguk. People play traditionial games or fly kites, and spin tops. January 21 - 23 in 2004.

- Independence Movement Day (March 1)
This day commemorates the Declaration of Independence proclaimed on March 1, 1919, while under Japanese colonization. A reading of the declaration takes place in a special ceremony at Tapgol Park in Seoul, where the document was first read to the public.

- Arbor Day (April 5)
Trees are planted across the country every year as part of the nation¡¯s vast reforestation program.

- Buddha¡¯s Birthday (April - May)
The 8th day of the 4th lunar month (May 26 in 2004). Elaborate, solemn rituals are held at many Buddhist temples across the country and lanterns are hung in the temple courtyards. The Sunday before Buddha¡¯s birthday these lanterns are lit and carried in parades in the evening (May 23 in 2004).
- Children¡¯s Day (May 5)
On this day, parents dress up the little ones and take them to children¡¯s parks, amusement parks, zoos, or to the cinema for a full day of fun and games.

- Memorial Day (June 6)
Memorial Day is set aside to honor the soldiers and civilians who have given their lives for their country. The largest ceremony is held at the National Cemetery in Seoul.

- Constitution Day (July 17)
Commemorates the proclamation of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea that was made on July 17, 1948.

- Liberation Day (August 15)
This day commemorates Japanese acceptance of the Allies¡¯ terms of surrender and the resulting liberation of Korea in 1945.

- Chuseok (September - October)
Chuseok is one of the year¡¯s most important traditional holidays. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. Chuseok is often referred to as Korean Thanksgiving Day. It¡¯s a celebration of the harvest and a thanksgiving for the bounty of the earth. Family members come from all parts of the country to visit their ancestral homes. September 27 - 29 in 2004

- National Foundation Day (October 3)
This day commemorates the founding of the Korean nation in 2333 B.C. by the legendary god-king Dangun. A simple ceremony is held at an altar on top of Mt. Manisan, Ganghwado province. The altar is said to have been erected by Dangun to offer thanks to his father and grandfather in heaven.

- Christmas (December 25)
Christmas is observed as a national holiday in Korea as in many other countries.


[ Special Days ]
- Labor Day (May 1)
Although Labor Day is not a national holiday, banks and business establishments are closed, and many people enjoy a day off.

- Parents¡¯ Day (May 8)
Sons and daughters show their love and respect for their parents on this day.

Business Hours

Government offices are open between the hours of 9:00a.m. and 6:00p.m. form March to October and between 9:00a.m. and 5:00a.m. from November to February. On Saturdays, they open at 9:00a.m. and close at 1:00p.m.
Most private businesses open at anywhere from 8:30a.m. to 10:00a.m. and close in the evening. Banks are a major exception. Their business hours are from 09:30 to 16:30 on weekdays. They are closed Saturdays and Sundays.
Foreign diplomatic missions in Seoul generally maintain strict business hours including lunch. They are usually open from 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. on weekdays and are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Major department stores are usually open from 10:30a.m. to 8:00p.m., including Sundays, but smaller shops tend to be open earlier and close later every day of the week.

Clothing

Clothing

From mid-March through late-May, and mid-September through mid-November you can wear long sleeved shirts and slacks plus possibly a cardigan or a jacket. During summer, June through August, short sleeved shirts and shorts would be a good idea. Late November through early March you must be prepared for the cold. A scarf and gloves are recommended for January and February, and remember that it snows at higher elevations in Korea.

Voltage

In Korea, 220 volt outlets are most common.

Handy Korean Phrases

Basic Expressions

	Hello. / Good morning (afternoon, evening).
	Good-bye.
	I'm sorry.
	Excuse me.
	Thank you.
	That's all right.
	You're welcome.
	That's good.
	How do you do?
	Nice to meet you.
	Yes. / No.
	Please help me.
	I understand. / I don't understand.
	Could you say that again (more slowly)?
	Please write here.
	Please hurry up.
	Wait a minute please.
	Who?
	Where?
	When?
	How?

	How far? / How many? / How much?
	Where is ( )?
	left / right
	straight
	up / down
	far / near

Words- Places

Sources from Korea Tourism Organization