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Korea is a nation that boasts
a fast growing economy and a lifestyle that brings together
the old and the new. Once known simply as a quiet nation
in the East, the Korean peninsula now hardly sleeps as
it pulsates with life and commerce. Branch offices of
major international corporations and business as well
as most of the western franchises can be found throughout
the country.
In the face of modernity, Koreans still greatly value
their 5 millennia of history and culture and the Confucian
philosophy that had governed the lives of their ancestors.
Many global events take place in Korea annually, with
the 2002 FIFA World Cup Soccer Games being the most recent.
The Korean peninsula also features numerous scenic mountains
and rivers that Koreans have often likened to beautifully
embroidered brocade. |
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| Korea
Standard Time is GMT plus 9 hours. |
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| Korea's
4 season climate is regarded as a continental climate
from a temperate standpoint and a monsoon climate from
a precipitation standpoint. |
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| Outlets
for 220 volts are dominant in Korea. Always check the
power supply before using your equipment. |
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| The unit
of Korean currency is the Won(£Ü). Coin denominations are
£Ü10, £Ü50, £Ü100 and £Ü500. Banknotes are £Ü1,000, £Ü5,000
and £Ü10,000. |
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| Foreign
banknotes and traveler's check can be exchanged at foreign
exchange banks and other authorized moneychangers. As
of 1 November, 2006 the exchange rate is approximately
$1 to £Ü 980. |
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| 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. |
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| Accepted,
but may be difficult to change in smaller towns. To avoid
additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised
to take Traveler's check in US Dollars. |
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Government Offices |
09:00am~06:00pm(weekdays)
09:00am~01:00pm(Saturdays) |
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Bank |
09:00am~04:30pm(only weekdays) |
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New Year's Day |
January 1 |
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Lunar New Year's Day |
First day of the first
lunar month |
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Independence Movement Day |
March 1 |
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Arbor Day |
April 5 |
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Buddha's Birthday |
Eighth day of the fourth
lunar month |
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Children's Day |
May 5 |
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Memorial Day |
June 6 |
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Constitution Day |
July 17 |
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Liberation Day |
August 15 |
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Korean Thanksgiving Day |
Fifteenth day of the eighth
lunar month |
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National Foundation Day |
October 3 |
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Christmas |
December 25 |
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| The general
emergency telephone number in Korea is 119. This will
connect you to an operator who will alarm police, medical
aid or the fire brigade. Police can be contacted for any
urgent matter via the number 112. In the event of emergency,
try and locate a bilingual speaker to avoid additional
frustration or stress during any unforeseen time of duress. |
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| Any foreign
visitors wishing to enter the Republic of Korea must have
a valid passport and obtain a Korean visa before coming.
But people of 99 countries who want to visit Korea temporarily
are permitted to enter without a visa according to visa-exemption
agreements (Table1), or in accordance with principles
of reciprocity or national interest (Table 2). |
