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About Gwangju

Tour Program

Useful Information

General information
  • General information Useful Information

Useful Information

Visa & Passport

A valid visa and passport are required to visit Korea. As of 2014, citizens of 100 countries under agreement are permitted visa-free entry for 30 days or longer. Citizens of other countries must obtain a visa issued by the Korean embassy. Short-term visas are issued for stays up to 90 days, and long-term visas are issued for stays longer than 91 days. Check the websites below for further information.

  Korea Visa Portal www.visa.go.kr

  Ministry of Foreign Affairs www.mofa.go.kr

  Korea Immigration Service www.immigration.go.kr

  Hi Korea (e-Government for foreigners) www.hikorea.go.kr

Things to be aware of by season


Season Information
Spring
(Mar-May)		 Generally sunny and mild weather, but prepare a light jacket as daily temperatures fluctuate.
Prepare a breathing mask, as sometimes there is yellow dust in the air.
Summer
(June-Aug)		 Summer days are hot and humid with an average temperature of 27 degrees Celsius. Prepare an umbrella or raincoat and rain boots if visiting during the monsoon season from mid-June to early-July.
Fall
(Sept-Nov)		 Good season for traveling as the weather is sunny and cool, but prepare a light jacket as the temperature may fluctuate throughout the day. The dry weather may cause forest fires in some areas.
Winter
(Dec-Feb)		 Weather is cold and dry with below zero temperatures.
Pack winter gear such as hats, gloves, scarves, and umbrellas, as it snows often.

Today's Weather in Korea!

Currency & Banking

The unit of currency is the Korean Won (Indicated as ￦). Coin denominations are ￦10, ￦50, ￦100 and ￦500. Bank notes are ￦1,000, ￦5,000, ￦10,000 and ￦50,000. Foreign bank notes and traveler's checks can be converted into Korean Won at foreign exchange banks and other authorized money exchangers. International credit cards, such as Visa, Master Card, American Express, Diners Club, and JCB are widely accepted at major hotels, department stores and restaurants. US$1 is equivalent to approximately ￦1,152 as of March 2012.

Notes

50,000 won (oman won)

10,000 won (man won)

5,000 won (ocheon won)

1,000 won (cheon won)

Coins

500 won (obaek won)

100 won (baek won)

50 won (osip won)

10 won (sip won)

  • Electricity supply

    The standard electricity supply is 220 volts AC/60 cycles. Most hotels may provide outlet converters for 110 and 220 volts. Participants are advised to check with the hotel beforehand

  • Time Difference

    When Indicating Korea Time: Present Time (GMT+9) / No daylight savings time

  • 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.

  • Tax & 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.

  • Emergency Call

    Number Information Language Services
    1330 - 24-hour Korea Travel Hotline operated by the Korea Tourism Organization
    - Various tourism information inquiries and complaints
    - 3-way calling available with emergency numbers 112, 119     		English, Chinese, Japanese
    119 National Rescue Services
    Request for help with fires, natural disasters, and emergency situations
    112 Korea National Police Agency Report crime
    1345 Korea Immigration Service 20 languages
    1588-5644 BBB Korea (Before Babel Brigade) 24-hour interpretation service 19 languages