Useful information for visitors to Korea

International telephone prefix

Korean international telephone prefix number is 82.

Border formalities

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.

From March 1, 1998, all foreigners who have U. S. visas, re-entry permits or green cards may stay in Korea for a short period with no entry visa. The result will be a great increase in the number of people permitted to remain in Korea without visas.

Among peoples of 31 countries who previously required entry visas even though their stays in Korea were very brief, visitors from 29 countries (Cuba and Macedonia are excepted) now may stay in Korea for 15 days to the maximum if they have U. S. visas and airplane tickets.

Countries whose nationals are permitted to enter without visas are 12 nations separated from the former Soviet Union (such as Russian Federation, Ukraine and Kazakhstan), Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Palestine, Albania, the Philippines, Iran, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nigeria and Ghana.

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 to the above, provided that their citizens do not participate in remunerative activities while visiting the Republic.

    Extending a Visa

  • A person with a valid visa for Korea who wishes to extend the visa must apply at the local immigration office at least one week before the expiration of the visa. In general, tourist visas are not extended.

    • Alien Registration

  • 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 want to stay up to 90 days; the other is a special long-term visa for periods longer than 90 days. In the case of the special long-term visa, visitors are required to apply for alien registration at a local immigration office within 90 days of arrival.

Customs

Tourists can bring in Korea all their personal belongings without any limitations. Duty-free allowance is 200 cigarettes, one bottle (1 l) of alcoholic beverage, 1 kg coffee or tea, perfume for personal use. You should declare: sport/camping-, professional radio-, TV-, HIFI-, or photo-equipment.

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 information, consult the Saturday edition of The_Korea_Times or Korea_Herald.

Money

The unit of Korean currency is the won (indicated as ). Coin denominations are 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500, but 1 and 5 coins are not commonly used anymore. Bank notes are 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000. 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 is equivalent to about 1390 as of June 3, 1998.

Credit cards

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

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.

Usual working hours

Government offices are open between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. from March to October and between 9 am and 5 pm from November to February. On Saturdays, they open at 9 am and close at 1 pm.
Most private businesses open at 8:30 am and close at 6 pm but some are open until late evening.
Banks are a major exception. Their business hours are from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays, and from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm 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 am to 5 pm on weekdays and are closed on Saturdays ,Sundays and their national holidays.
Major department stores are open from 10:30 am to 7:30 pm, 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.

National holidays

January 1st - New Year
March 1st - Annivesary of the Samil Indepence Movement
April 5th - Arbor Day
May 3rd - Buddha's Birthday
May 5th - Children's Day
June 6th - Memorial Day
July 17th - Constitution Day
August 15th - Independence Day of Korea
October 3rd - The National Foundation Day of Korea
15th day of the 8th Lunar month - Harvest Moon Festival, Ch'usok
December 25th and 26th - Christmas

Time

Korea does not have Daylight Savings Time.

Tipping

Tipping is not a traditonal Korean 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.

Emergencies

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, AEA International Korea Ltd. provides a 24-hour emergency service for foreigners, acting as a link between patient and the Korean hospitals for a fee. For details, contact AEA International Korea Ltd.

Address: 5F, Shindong Bd. 726-164, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, 140-210 Seoul, Korea. Telephone: (02) 790-7561, Fax (02) 790-6785

English is spoken in some general hospitals, and the larger ones, such as Samsung Medical Center, Severance Hospital and the Asan Medical Center, have international clinics where bilingual nurses can provide you with assistance. It is advisable to carry traveler's insurance.

News in a foreign language

  • Newspapers

    There are two English dailies, The_Korea_Times and Korea_Herald ( 400), which are published 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 ( 2,400) and Korea News Review ( 850) 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 Korea 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.

Important phone numbers

Police 112
Fire brigade 119
Ambulance 119

Electrical current

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.

Post

    Telephone Calls

  • Public Telephones

    There are four types of public telephones in Korea: grey credit card and coin telephones, blue coin telephones, grey coin telephones and grey card telephones. All four types can be used for both local and long distance calls. A local call costs 50 for three minutes. Long distance calls cost considerably more. Time can be extended by depositing more money. Blue telephones accept 10 and 100 coins and grey ones accept 10, 50 and 100 coins. Change from your call will not be returned. Card telephones besides credit card and coin telephones may be used to make international calls as well as local and long distance calls. Telephone cards come in 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000 units and can be purchased in shops close to telephone booths, and in banks.

  • Overseas Calls

  • Direct Calls

    To make an international call, first dial the international access code 001, 002 or 008, then the country code, area code and finally the individual number.

  • Operator-assisted calls & collect calls

    Dial 00797. For more information on operator - assisted calls, dial 00794.

  • Telephone directory services Dial 080-211-0114. Toll free
    Calls made between 21:00 and 08:00 and all day Sundays and holidays are discounted 30 ~ 50%. When using the 002 international access code, all rate (night and day) are discounted by an additional 1%. If one uses the 008 international access code, calls are discounted another 5~6%.

    • Postal Services

    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.

  • Domestic Post

    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. Standard postal rates are as follows:

    Letter : Up to 50 g 150
    Registered letter : Up to 50 g 1,050
    Package : Up to 2 Kg 2,100
    Postcard : 120

  • International Post

    Internaional postal rates are based on region, weight, and delivery time.

    • Telegrams

    Telegrams can be written at any telephone office and may also be sent by telephone by dialing115 (domestic) or 005 (international). Domestic telegrams in Korean cost 500 for the first 20 syllables and 80 for each 5 additional syllables. If sent in English, the charge is 80 per word. The international rates are shown below. For express service, the rate is doubled. These services are available 24 hours a day.

A tip for visitors

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, brochures 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 am to 6 pm (Nov. - Feb. from 9 am to 5 pm).

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. Telephone: (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, Email: tourcom@www.knto.or.kr

 
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