Seoul
Overview
Since the end of the Korean War in 1953, South Korea has become a modern democracy. East meets West in downtown Seoul, where skyscrapers loom over historic palaces and temples, and salespeople in European boutiques bow to customers. Seoul is one of the top ten financial and commercial centers globally. The capital's main industries include electronics, textiles and clothing, iron and steel, electrical machinery and transport equipment. Samsung, one of the world's largest conglomerates, makes its headquarters in Seoul, as do Korean Air, LG Group, Hyundai, Kia Motors and Daewoo Corporation.
Planning
Climate
Seoul has a four-season climate. The best time to visit is the fall, when temperatures average 69°F (20°C) and the leaves turn golden-red. Spring (April and May), when the cherry blossom blooms, is a popular, busy time to travel. Summer is monsoon season, with muggy, hot weather. In August, temperatures average 76°F (24°C). Winter is dry and cold, with the temperature sometimes dipping below freezing.
Voltage
220V AC, 60 Hz twin round pins are standard.
Time
GMT +9 hours
Money
The local currency is the won (₩) made up of 100 chon. The most commonly accepted credit cards in Korea have Plus and Cirrus logos. Many businesses also accept Maestro and Electron cards. Visitors can make withdrawals, deposits, and fund transfers at numerous ATMs. Citibank customers enjoy a more extensive range of services.
Doing Business
Business Etiquette
Chambers of Commerce
Address: 45, 4-ga, Namdaemunro, Jung-gu, Seoul 100-743
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 6050 3114
Website: Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Address: 4501 Trade Tower 159-1, Samsung-Dong, Kangnam-ku, Seoul 135-729
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 564 2040
Website: American Chamber of Commerce in Korea
Address: 21st Floor, Hotel Kukdo, 310 Euljiro 4 (sa)-ga, Jung-Gu, Seoul 100-849
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 725 9880
Website: EU Chamber of Commerce
Address: Grand Ambassador Hotel, Suite 316, 186-54 Jangchung-dong 2-ga; Jung-gu, Seoul 100-855
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 2268 9505
Website: French-Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Address: 12th fl., 24-3 Yoido-dong, Youngdeungpo-gu 150-718, Seoul, South Korea
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 402 4379
Website: Italian Chamber of Commerce
Embassies & Consulates
Address: 32 Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-710
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 397 4114
Website: American Embassy
Address: 54 Hyoja-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea 110-033
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 738 1038
Website: Chinese Embassy
Address: 1-121 Shinmoonro 2-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 725 6765/6
Website: Czech Republic Embassy
Address: 30, Hap-dong, Sodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-030
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 3149 4300
Website: French Embassy
Address: 1-398, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 140-884
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 796 0491
Website: Italian Embassy
Address: 243-36, Itaewon-Dong, Yongsan-Ku, Seoul, Korea
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 3785 2903/4
Address: 33-6, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-ku, Seoul 140-885
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 798 1694 or +82 (0) 2 798 1695
Website: Mexican Embassy
Address: Jeongdong Building, 10th Floor, 15-5 Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul 100-784
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 311 8600
Website: Netherlands Embassy
Address: 1-104, 1-130, Dongbinggo-Dong, Yongsan-Gu, Seoul, 140-809
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 797 4924 or +82 (0) 2 790 3718
Website: Romanian Embassy
Address: 34-16, Chong-dong, Chung-gu, Seoul 100-120
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 318 2116 or +82 (0) 2 318 2117
Website: Russian Embassy
Address: 726-52 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-ku, Seoul 140-894
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 794 3581 or +82 (0) 2 794 3582
Website: Spanish Embassy
Address: 28-58, Samchong-Dong, Chongno-Ku,110-230, Seoul
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 739 2065 or 738 2318
Website: Vietnamese Embassy
Business Centers
Most major hotels have business centers, including the following:
Address: 521 Teheran Ro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 135-732
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 555 5656
Website: Grand InterContinental Seoul
Address: 201-1 Hongeun-dong, Seodaemun-Ku, Seoul, 120-710
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 3216 5656
Website: Grand Hilton Seoul
Conference & Exhibition Centers
Address: World Trade Center Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 135-731
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 6000 1121
Website: COEX (Convention & Exhibition)
Address: 514 Daechi-Dong, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 2222 3811
Website: SETEC
Translation Services
Address: 202 Tapsan B Building, 9-6, Okum-Dong, Songpa-Gu, Seoul 138-855
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 443 1434 or +82 (0) 2 557 1472
Website: ITS (International Translation Service)
Courier/Messenger Services
Address: Seoul KOR Samsung Semyung Building, 1/F 945-2 Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu Seoul 135-846
Telephone: +82 (0) 2 566 4491
Website: FedEx
Address: Ilyang Building 1st floor Yeomri-dong164-6 Mapo-gu Seoul
Telephone: +82 2 710 8345
Website: DHL.
Local Knowledge
Telephone
Country code for South Korea: +82
Area code for Seoul: 02 (drop the zero when calling from abroad)
Police: 112
Ambulance: 119
Fire: 119
Tipping
Tipping is not the norm in Seoul. Upscale hotels and restaurants add a 10% gratuity to the bill. Taxi drivers don't expect tips unless they help with luggage or provide an extra service.
VAT & Taxes
Posted prices include the standard 10% value-added tax (VAT), which applies to most goods and services.
Getting Around
Taxis
Hail a cab, order one by telephone or find a designated taxi stand. Vacant taxis have red indicator lamps in front of the passenger seat and on the roof. Most taxi drivers do not speak English but do tend to recognize the names of major hotels and landmarks.
Buses
Four types of buses serve Seoul. Red express buses link downtown with satellite cities. Green local buses operate within specific districts. Yellow downtown circular buses serve major downtown areas. Blue arterial buses run north-south and east-west.
Subway
The subway is quick and convenient. It has nine lines, each designated with a color, that cover Seoul and the satellite cities. Station signs are in Korean and English. Buy a ticket or prepaid fare card from a machine in the station or from the attendant.
Public Holidays
January 1
January-February
March 1
May 5
May
June 6
August 15
September
October 3
December 25
Leisure
Dining
If you like spicy food, you'll love Seoul. Kimchi (pickled cabbage) accompanies most Korean dishes. Try fiery haemultang (seafood broth) or, if you want something milder, bulgogi (marinated beef).
Dine like royalty at Hanmiri in Gangnam-gu, or opt for a Zen-like experience and temple food at Sanchon in Insadong. Also in Insadong is Min's Club, in a beautiful 1930s hanok (traditional one-storey wooden house with a tiled roof). It serves European food with a Korean twist. Try Korean barbecue at Yetnalnongjang in Daehangno. Santorini in Itaewon is the place to go for Greek food.
Shopping
Myeongdong is Seoul's most fashionable shopping district, full of upscale stores and designer boutiques. Other popular shopping areas are Apgujeong and Cheongdam. You'll find fashion bargains at the bustling Dongdaemun Market.
Pick up a colorful hanbok (traditional brightly colored Korean dress) or silk and satin textiles at Gwangjang Market, popular with tourists. Antiques shops and handicraft stores selling pottery and porcelain dot Insadong, Seoul's arty hub. Indulge in some indoor retail therapy at the futuristic Yongsan I-Park Mall and the ultra-modern COEX Mall. The Sogongdong Underground Arcade, near many upscale hotels, sells everything from folk crafts and ginseng to shoes and clothing.
Things to do
The sight of traditional Korean houses in the beautiful Namsangol Hanok Village will transport you back to a bygone age. Don't miss Changdeokgung (Changdeok Palace), a UNESCO World Heritage site. The 14th-century palace has a tranquil biwon (secret garden), lily ponds and pavilions. See what remains of Seoul's fortress in Samcheong-dong and Jangchoong-dong, which originally surrounded the city.
At the former royal residence, Unhyeongung Palace, you can watch a reenactment of the marriage of King Gojong to Queen Myeongseong. Take in dramatic views of the city from the top of N Seoul Tower in Namsan Park or 63 Building on Yeouido Island.