Geographical location: Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea.

Capital: Seoul

Weather/Seasons: Temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter

Currency: WON

Transportation

• Trains (here-Express and Intercity)
• Taxis (Bullet Taxis)
• Buses
• Bicycles
• Ferries

Tourist Attractions

Seoul, Gyeongju and Buyeo

• Ancient capitals
• Natural landmarks:
• Peaks of the Baekdudaegan, particularly Seorak-san and Jiri-san
• Caves of Danyang and Samcheok
• Haeundae and Mallipo Beaches
• Korean Folk Village
• Korean National Park

Popular Accommodations

• Friend Hotel – Seoul
• President Hotel – Seoul
• Dong Seoul Hotel – Seoul
• Kolon Hotel – Jyeongji
• Hotel Korea – Suwon

Best time to go: The end of March/start of April to see the beautiful cherry blossoms or October/November for cooler temperatures and the stunning red-leaf season in the mountain areas

Languages Spoken: Korean, English widely taught in junior high and high school

Sports/Recreation: Hiking, football, baseball, basketball, swimming, athletics, and boxing.

Cuisine

Korea has its own very distinctive cuisine, quite different from Chinese or Japanese. Rice is the staple food and a typical Korean meal consists of rice, soup, rice water and eight to 20 side dishes of vegetables, fish, poultry, eggs, bean-curd and sea plants. Most Korean soups and side dishes are heavily laced with red pepper.

National specialties

• Bibimbap (boiled rice mixed with vegetables and chilli peppers).
• Kimchi (Korean national dish, highly spiced pickle of Chinese cabbage or white radish with turnips, onions, salt, fish, chestnuts and red pepper).
• Bulgogi (marinated, charcoal-broiled beef barbecue).
• Grilled galbi (seasoned ribs).
• Haemultang (seafood stew).

National drinks

• Yakju (refined pure liquor fermented from rice).
• Soju (like vodka and made from potatoes or grain).
• Korean beer: Cass, Hite and OB.
• Makgeolli and donggongju (milky liquor).
• Ginseng wine is strong and sweet, similar to brandy.

Ethnicity: Homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)

Population: 48,508,972 (July 2009 estimate)

Religion: Christian 26.3% (Protestant 19.7%, Roman Catholic 6.6%), Buddhist 23.2%, other or unknown 1.3%, none 49.3% (1995 census)

Economy: Coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential, agriculture including forestry and fisheries, products including rice, vegetables, fruit, root crops, barley, cattle, pigs, chickens, milk, eggs, fish, industry including electronics and electrical products, telecommunications, motor vehicles, shipbuilding, mining and manufacturing, petrochemicals, industrial machinery, steel, trade including electronic products (semiconductors, cellular phones and equipment, computers), automobiles, machinery and equipment, steel, ships, petrochemicals, imports including crude oil, food, machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals and chemical products, base metals and articles

Government: Republic

Security: Crime rate against foreigners is low. Increased number of rapes reported in the nightlife areas of Seoul. The political situation is generally stable but since the Korean peninsula was divided by a demilitarised zone in 1953, tensions have risen and fallen on occasion. It is wise to carry some form of identification at all times and ensure your next-of-kin details have been entered into the back of your passport.

Visa Matters

Required by all except the following:

1. nationals of EU countries for touristic and business purposes for stays of up to 3 months (except nationals of Italy for stays of up to 2 months);
2. nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Brazil, Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Dominica (Commonwealth of), Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Grenada, Haiti, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Jamaica, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Romania, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Surinam, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago and Turkey for touristic and business purposes for stays of up to 3 months;
3. nationals of Lesotho for touristic and business purposes for stays of up to 2 months;
4. nationals of Tunisia for touristic and business purposes for stays of up to 1 month;
5. nationals of most countries, travelling for short-term touristic or transit purposes, are allowed to enter visa-free for a maximum duration of 30 days, provided holding confirmed onward or return tickets and proof of sufficient funds. This regulation applies to: Albania, Argentina, Australia (90 days), Brunei, Canada (6 months), Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Fiji, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (90 days), Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Macau, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, New Caledonia, Oman, Palau, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Slovenia, South Africa, Swaziland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, USA, Vatican City, Venezuala and Yemen.

Flights

South Korea

• Korean Air flights
• Vietnam Airlines flights
• Dragonair/Hong Kong Dragon Airlines flights
• Asiana Airlines flights
• Shandong Airlines flights
• Qantas flights
• Coyne Airways flights
• Emirates flights
• MIAT Mongolian Airlines flights
• Lufthansa flights
• Shanghai Airlines flights
• Air Macau flights
• Air China flights
• Cebu Pacific flights
• Trans Asia Airways flights
• Jeju Air flights
• Malaysia Airlines flights
• Czech Airlines flights
• Japan Airlines flights
• Aeroflot flights
• Oriental Thai Airlines flights
• China Eastern flights
• United flights
• Inter Airlines flights
• Coast Air flights
• Garuda Indonesia flights
• Uni Air flights
• All Nippon Airways flights
• Northwest Airlines flights
• Vladivostok Air flights
• China Southern flights
• Finnair flights
• Turkish Airlines flights
• Cosmos Air flights
• Delta flights
• EgyptAir flights
• Cathay Pacific flights
• SkyStar Airways flights
• Xiamen Airlines flights
• Thai Airways flights
• China Airlines flights
• Uzbekistan Airways flights
• Air France flights
• KLM.com flights
• SAT Airlines flights
• Singapore Airlines flights
• EVA Air flights
• Shenzhen Airlines flights
• Philippine Airlines flights
• Air Canada flights
• Air India flights
• Air Astana flights
• Alitalia flights
• American Airlines flights
• Rossiya Airlines flights
• US Airways flights
• British Airways (BA) flights
• Mandarin Airlines flights
• Aeromexico flights
• Qatar Airways flights
• IranAir flights
• LAN Airlines flights
• South African Airways flights
• Aircalin/Air Caledonie International flights
• Continental Airlines flights