The Korean Peninsula extends about 1,000 km from the Asian continent into the Pacific Ocean with more than 3,000 islands dotting the coastline. Mountains cover almost 70 percent of the land mass, making the country one of the most mountainous regions in the world and offering abundant forest resources. Administratively, Korea consists of nine provinces with 77 small cities and 88 counties.
The Korean language, like Hungarian, Turkish, Mongolian and Finnish, is classified into the Ural-Altaic language group. Hangeul(한글), the Korean alphabet, is composed of 10 simple vowels and 14 consonants. A group of scholars under the patronage of King Sejong the Great developed this systematic rendition of spoken sound in 1443. It is widely acclaimed by linguists as an ingenious invention. In 2009, the town of Bau Bau in Sulawesi, Indonesia adopted Hangeul as their official written language.
The Republic of Korea experiences four distinct seasons. In May, Seoul's weather is pleasantly warm and perfect for exploring the city. It's the height of spring, offering mild temperatures and clear skies. Daytime temperatures typically range from 18°C to 25°C (64°F to 77°F), making it comfortable for outdoor activities, while mornings and evenings can be cooler, around 10°C to 15°C (50°F to 59°F), so bringing a light jacket is a good idea.
Tipping is not a Korean custom and will not be expected by service personnel. However, many major hotels and upscale restaurants add a 10 percent service charge (in addition to the 10 percent VAT) to the bill. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, but do appreciate if you let them keep the change.
The standard voltage used in Korea is 220V. A power plug adapter is required if you use different plugs and sockets in your country of residence. Participants are advised to check with the hotel in advance, as most hotels can offer outlet converters for 110V and 220V.
119: Emergencies for Fire, Rescue & Hospital Services
112: Police
129: First Aid Services
1339: Medical Emergency
Korea Tourism Organization | https://english.visitkorea.or.kr/svc/main/index.do |
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Visit Seoul | https://english.visitseoul.net |
Tourist Information Center | https://tiac.or.kr/lang_en |
Korea Immigration Service | https://www.immigration.go.kr/immigration_eng/index.do |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade | https://www.mofa.go.kr/eng/index.do |
Incheon International Airport | https://www.airport.kr/ap/en/index.do |
Gimpo International Airport | https://www.airport.co.kr/gimpoeng/index.do |