GENERAL
INFORMATION ON KOREA
Language
Koreans
are one ethic family and speak one language. Sharing distinct physical
characteristics, they are believed to be descendants of several Mongol tribes
that migrated onto the Korean Peninsula from Central Asia,
Clothing and Season
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.
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.
Time Difference and Voltage
Korea
is 1 hour ahead of Singapore. In Korea, 220 volt outlets are most common.
Water, Hygiene and Toiletries
In
Korea, tap water is safe to drink. However is recommended to drink boiled or
filtered water.
No
vaccinations are required for travel to Korea but it is advisable to check with
your doctor for current information and take the necessary precautionary
measures before you travel. Toiletries are not provided in most hotels.
Therefore please do remember to bring your own toiletries.
Commentary and Guideline for Tour Guide &
Driver Tipping (Customary)
Only
Chinese speaking guide, local Singapore tour leader maybe assist in basic
translations. However local Singapore tour leader is not allowed to hold
microphone onboard the coach.
It is
customary to tip your guide and driver to show your appreciation for their
services.
Korean
Tour Guide: USD2 per person,
per day (based on from the day of arrival in Korea till the end of tour)
Driver: USD2 per
person, per day (based on from the day of arrival in Korea till the end of
tour)
Travel Insurance
You are
urged to purchase travel insurance before leaving. Insurance plans typically
cover accidental loss of belongings, medical cost in case of injury or illness
and other possible risks of international travel. For detailed information,
kindly approach our friendly tour consultant at 63384455
Passport
and Visa
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
-
http://www.mofat.go.kr/en/index.mof
Immigration Bureau
-
http://www.immigration.go.kr
Any foreign visitors wishing to enter the Republic of
Korea must have a valid passport and obtain a Korean visa before coming.
Singapore and Malaysia passport holder do not need to obtain visa.
Visitors from countries not under Visa Exemption
Agreements must apply for a visa extension if planning to stay for more than 30
days. Depending on the situation of the consulate, the visa extension will be
issued 1 to 3 days from the day of application. Applicants require a completed
application form, a recent passport size colour photo and application fee.
Visitors do not require the outbound flight ticket. Visa extensions are usually
for 90 days.
All visas including long-term visas are for a single
visit. Therefore anyone who wishes to leave the country and re-enter later on
during the allowed period of stay should obtain the Re-entry Permit from the
Ministry of Justice prior to departure. For business visas, the intention of
activities must be clearly stated on the visa application form.
Application
for Visas
·
Visa application should be made at Korean Embassies or
consulates abroad.
·
It is required for the visa applicants to submit passport,
application forms, a recent passport-style color photograph, and such other
documents as determined by the status of stay
·
Visa fees are as follows: (The information below are
subjected to change without notice)
- Single
entry visa for a stay of no more than 90 days: USD30
- Single
entry visa for a stay of more than 90 days: USD50
- Multiple
entry visa: USD80
- Prolongation
of Re-entry Permit: USD20
Visa
Extension
Extensions for tourist visas are possible in special cases
such as accidents, health problems, flight cancellation, etc. Applications for
visa extensions can be made at a local immigration office at least one day
before the day of expiration
$
Currency
Korea’s currency is the (won).The
official exchange rate between U.S. Dollar and won currently is equivalent to
USD10 = KRW 8913.76 = SGD$13.84
Korea currency is issued in the
following denominations:
Coins: 500 wons, 100 wons, 50 wons,
10 wons
Bills: 10,000 wons, 5000 wons, 100
wons
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ATM:
Foreign issued ATM cards may have
limited use at ATMs in different countries. Please refer to your bank for more
information.
v ”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.
v Some
bank branches may be equipped with Global ATMs that allows use of foreign
cards. Available between 8:00 am – 10:00pm
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Credit
Card:
Most restaurants, hotels and shops
accept credit cards. You may not be able to use credit cards at small business
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.
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Tax
Refund:
Any product with “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:
- Purchase
your items at any shops with this “Tax Free Shopping” sign and receive a
payment slip.
- When
departing, you need to get a stamp issued from the customs officer after
showing him the purchased items and payment slip.
- 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
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VAT:
Value-Added Tax (VAT) is levied on
most goods and services at a standard rate of 10% and is included on the retail
price. In tourist hotels, this 10% tax applies to rooms, meals and other
services and is included in the bill.
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Average
Price List of Goods:
- 0.5 L Water = 600 won
- Big Mac set in Macdonald = 4500 won
- Starbucks coffee = 3000 won
- Movie = 7000 – 8000 won
(
Telephone
services
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 2000, 3000, 5000 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
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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 the then 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
Cell
Phone Rental Services:
Cell phone rental services are
available at Incheon International Airport. This service must be ordered in
advance. Online-Reservation is possible on www.Tour2Korea.com.
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Emergency
Situation
Emergency
Call
Dial 112 for the police, 119 for the
fire department, or 1339 for medical emergency (though most operators speak
only Korean). A hotel staff or hotel manager can arrange for a doctor or an
ambulance.
Lost
Property
In the event of misplaced or lost
property, contact the Lost and Found Center of the Seoul Metropolitan Police
Bureau:
102, Hongik-dong, Seongdong-gu
Tel: +82-2-2299-1282 (Korean speakers
only), Fax: -+82-2-2298-1282
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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 ties.
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 Tangol 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 15 in 2005). 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 15 in 2005)
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 Korea Thanksgiving Day,
National Foundation Day (October 3)
This day commemorates the founding of the Korean
nation in 1222 B,C. by the legendary god-king Dangun.
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
Parents’
Day (May 8)
Sons
and daughters show their love and respect for their parents on this day
