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Korea, South
Capital: Seoul

Airport
South Korea's main international airport is in Seoul - Kimpo International airport. It is 11 miles (18.2km) away from downtown Seoul. Various forms of transportation are available.

Weather
Korea has four seasons with a wide range of temperatures. Winters, from November to March have a very cold weather. Summers are warm and sometimes hot. It has a humid/monsoon climate. Rain usually occurs between June and September.

Money
The currency is Korean won (krw).
The unit of Korean currency is the won. 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. 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.

Tipping
Tipping is not a traditional 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.

Safety
Although the crime rate in the Republic of Korea is low, pickpocketing, purse snatching, hotel room burglaries, and residential crime do occur and foreigners can be targeted. In addition, increased incidents of physical attacks on foreigners, including sexual harassment, molestation and rape have been recently reported. Travelers can reduce the likelihood of encountering such incidents by taking the same precautions that they would take in the urban United States. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Business Hours
Government offices are open between the hours of 9:00am and 6:00pm from March to October and between 9:00am and 5:00pm from November to February. On Saturdays, they open at 9:00am and close at 1:00pm. Most private businesses open at 8:30am and close at 6:00pm but some are open until late evening. Banks are a major exception. Their business hours are from 9:30am to 4:30pm on weekdays, and from 9:30am to 1:30pm 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 9:00am to 5:00pm on weekdays and are closed on Saturdays ,Sundays and their national holidays.
Major department stores are open from 10:30am to 7:30pm, including Sundays, and are closed one day during the week. Department stores. Smaller shops tend to be open from early morning until late evening every day of the week.

Visa and Passport
A valid passport is needed to enter Korea. Visas are not required for tourist or business stays of up to fifteen days (the day of arrival counts as day number one). For longer stays and other types of travel, visas must be obtained in advance. Changes of status from one type of visa to another (from tourism to teaching, for example) are not normally granted in country. Applicants must depart and apply for new visas at an embassy or consulate outside Korea.

Customs
Applicable only to visitors 18 years and older-
Tobacco - 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of pipe tobacco (total quantity not exceeding 500 grams)
Liquor - 1 liter bottle of alcohol
Perfume - 2 oz of perfume
Cameras - 1 still camera
Film - reasonable for personal use
Gifts - duty free allowance up to300,000 won
Currency - no restrictions

Note: It is prohibited to bring the following articles into the country: Any printed material, films or phonograph records considered by the authorities to be subversive or harmful to national security or public interests; any firearms, explosives or other weapons; textile fabrics in excess of 5 sq. m (6 sq. yards); more than five foreign phonograph records; radio equipment and any animals or plants prohibited by the relevant regulations. Approval is required for the export of Korea antiques or valuable cultural items from the Seoul metropolitan government, art & antique assessment office, Seoul.

Electricity
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.

Water
Tap water is safe to drink in Seoul. In outlying areas drink only bottled or boiled water.

Medical Service
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. For emergency, 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.

Transportation
There are two bus classes - kosok (express) and chikheng (ordingary). They are fast, convenient, safe and on time. You can also travel around the cities by train. For travelling long-distance, you can go with bullet taxis, which go between big cities and some of the tourist sights. But you have to negotaiate for a price before you set off!