Korea, South Travel Information

Travel Alert Status

Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

Time Difference

UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Travel Climate

Korea's climate is marked by four very distinct seasons. The winters are dry and cold, with snow usually appearing in January. The advent of the cherry blossoms heralds spring—a season that can also be somewhat unpredictable. A brief monsoon season and high temperatures combine to make city life rather humid in the summertime. Autumn is easily the best time of year in Korea, when both the cities and the countryside benefit from clear skies and vibrant fall foliage.

Only 19% of the country is flat enough to be arable, and that land is farmed intensively. In addition, there has been a steady shift away from the farm and into urban areas. Two-thirds of Korea's population now live in its cities.

Travel Currency

South Korean won (KRW)

Language Spoken

Korean is spoken in both North and South Korea and is written in a phonetic alphabet created and promulgated in the mid-15th century. While the alphabet is called Hangul in South Korea, it is known as Chosongul in North Korea. Although the Korean language is replete with words adapted from Chinese, the North Koreans, unlike the South Koreans, do not use Chinese characters with Chosongul in their newspapers and publications. They prefer to use only Chosongul, which is sufficient for most needs.

There are also some differences in vocabulary between the North and the South, influenced somewhat by politics and also by the contact each country has had with other nations. Russian, Chinese, and English are taught as second languages in the schools.

Languages

Korean

Ethnic Groups

homogeneous (except for about 20,000 Chinese)

National Holiday

Liberation Day, 15 August (1945)

Geographic Coordinates

37 00 N, 127 30 E

Location

Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea

Airports

Korea, South Weather

Korea, South Currency Exchange

Currency Converter

Korea, South Travel Video

Taekkyeon, a traditional Korean martial art

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