Useful Information

Visa Application

To clarify visa exemption agreement, please check your country via below link:
http://www.mofa.go.kr/ENG/visa/application/

Weather and Clothing

Korea has four seasons, with a wet monsoon/summer season in the middle of the year, and a cold winter from November to March. The ideal time to visit Korea is during the autumn months (September-November). You will enjoy various cultural activities with clear skies and low humidity. In November, trench coats, long-sleeved shirts, and cardigans are ideal.

Currency & Banking

The unit of currency is Korean Won (KRW), expressed as ￦. Coin denominations are ￦10, ￦50, ￦100 and ￦500. Bank notes are ￦1,000, ￦5,000, ￦10,000 and ￦50,000. As of June, 2017, the exchange rate is approximately ￦1,067 for $1 (USD).
You can exchange foreign currencies into Korean won at a bank, exchange service center, or an authorized currency exchange.

Credit Card

Visa, American Express, Diners Club, Master Card and other major credit cards are accepted in Korea. Cash advances are also available at select bank machines.

Time Difference

Standard Time in Korea is 9 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+9).
http://www.worldtimeserver.com/time_converter.aspx /

Emergency Call

Dial the numbers below from anywhere in Korea (no area code required)

• 1339 : Medical Emergency
• 119 : Emergencies for Fire / Rescue & Hospital Services
• 112 : Police
• 129 : First Aid Patients

Business Hours

Government office hours are usually from 9:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and closed on weekends. Banks are open from 9:00 to 16:00 on weekdays and closed on Saturday and Sunday. Most stores are open every day from 10:30 to 20:00, including Sunday.

Electricity

The standard electricity supply is 220-volts AC at 60Hz. Most hotels may provide outlet converters for 110 and 220 volts. It is advised that you check with the hotel beforehand.

Tax and Tipping

Value-added tax is levied on most goods and services at a standard rate of 10% and is included in the retail price. 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.

Cellular Phone Rental

Cellular phones can be rented from Incheon and Gimpo International Airports. Your passport and credit card are required. The charges can be paid with cash or credit card upon return of the handset.
Three companies offer rental services: SK telecom, Korea Telecom, and LG Telecom. Call the Incheon Airport for more information: +82-2-6343-9011 (overseas) or 1599-2011. (in Korea),
Note: Some global telecom companies can extend phone access though roaming services in Korea, but many phones DO NOT have roaming services in Korea at this time. Roaming services can be expensive. Please check with your local cell phone company about services and costs.