Korean time is 9 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+9). / No daylight savings time.
Business hours for banks are generally from 09:00 to 16:00 on weekdays only. Banks are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. ATMs are widely available. Major department stores are open from 10:30 to 20:00 or 20:30, including Sundays, but smaller shops and restaurants tend to open earlier and close later every day.
You need a T-money card (transportation card) to use the public transport in Korea. T-money cards can be bought at any convenience stores at KRW 3,000 ~ KRW 5,000. Each travel within a city costs KRW 1,250.
International dialing code in Korea is +82. Please omit (0) when dialing from overseas.
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 meals and other services and is added into the bill.
Tipping is not a traditional custom in Korea. A 10% service charge will be added to your bill at all tourist restaurants and hotels. It is also not necessary to tip a taxi driver unless she or he assists you with your luggage or provides an extra service.
The standard electricity supply is 220 volts AC/60 cycles. Most hotels may provide outlet converters for 110 and 220 volts. Participants are recommended to check with the hotel beforehand.
Hangeul (한글), official alphabet of Korea, was first invented by King Sejong during the Joseon Dynasty. Originally called Hunminjeongeum (훈민정음), the language was conceived in 1443, and further promulgated by the King in 1446. At the time of its inception, the language consisted of 17 consonants and 11 vowels however, since then, 3 of the originally established consonants and 1 vowel have fallen into disuse bringing the total number of characters to 24. Syllables are formed by the selective combination of vowels and consonants to create words.
① Currency
Major foreign currencies that can be exchanged at banks, hotels, and the airport include the US Dollar, Japanese Yen, Euro, and UK Sterling. Most hotels, restaurants, and shops accept major international credit cards including Visa, American Express, Diners Club, Master Card, and JBC. Foreign-issued ATM cards may have limited use.
※ About Won(KRW) : Korea’s currency is the won. There are 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, and 50,000 won bills. Coins come in 10, 50, 100, and 500 won.
Bills
Coins
② ATM(Automated Teller Machines)
Travelers who carry internationally recognized credit cards can get cashes in advance in Korea Won from Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) installed at airports, major hotels, department stores, subway stations and tourist attractions. ATMs are in operation 24 hours a day. Most large stores, hotels and restaurants in Korea accept major international credit cards. However it is advisable to carry some cash, since many smaller establishments and stores are unlikely to accept credit cards. ATMs that accept international cards are common, especially in areas frequented by foreigners; look for ATMs with a “Global” sign or the logo of your bank. Global ATMs offer multi-languages.
③ Card
Diners Club, Visa, American Express and MasterCard are widely accepted at major hotels, shops, and restaurants in the larger cities. Check with your credit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
