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About Korea
Visitors will discover its rich natural beauty combined with a unique cultural and historical heritage. After a rapid modernization in recent decades, Koreans still maintain their traditional values such as hospitality and the time- honored Confucian respect for the elderly.
Traveling in Korea is enjoyable all year round thanks to its distinct four seasons and the beautiful changes of nature.
In spring (March to May), mountains and fields are in bloom with cherry blossoms, forsythias, azaleas, magnolias and
lilacs. In summer (June to early September), luxuriant forests, bright green fields and the cobalt blue sea draw people
outdoors. In autumn (September to November), cool temperatures and a clear sky make it the most pleasant time of
the year in Korea. The mountains all over the country are covered in red and yellow blazing autumn foliage. In winter
(December to February), mountain slopes become the place for skiing and snow festivals. Winter in Korea is another
delightful season of great amusement.
More than 400 local festivals throughout the year represent colorful facets of the Korean culture. Events that have great
appeal to tourists include the Icheon-Gwangju-Yeoju Ceramic Exposition and the sea-splitting Jindo Yeongdeungje
Festival. Korea takes pride in many world-renowned cultural assets which UNESCO has designated on its World
Cultural Heritage List. They are Changdeokgung royal palace, Hwaseong fortress, Seokguram stone buddha grotto,
Bulguksa temple, the Tripitaka Koreana wood block printing plates at Haeinsa temple, Jongmyo shrine in Seoul, the
Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa dolmen sites, and the Gyeongju remains of Silla Dynasty.
Food
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Korean food contains less meat than most traditional Western or Chinese cuisine, and features a wide variety of fermented foods, assorted vegetable dishes, and rice. It is very nutritious and is becoming more and more popular around the world for its health benefits. Traditionally, Korean table settings are comprised of a number of side dishes. Family and friends gather around the table and share between themselves, sampling every dish. Only boiled rice and guk (soup) are two items that are not shared. These customs represent the true character of Koreans as being people who prefer to do everything together.
(Major Korean Food: Kimchi, Bibimbap, Galbi, Bulgogi, Hanjeongsik) |
HANGEUL
Hangeul was invented by King Sejong in 1446 with assistance from some scholars to give the people an alphabet that was easy to read and write. Throughout the world, there are some 3,000 spoken languages but roughly only 100 alphabets . Among these, only hangeul was systematically invented without influence from any other language.
Hangeul is a very scientific alphabet and is designated by UNESCO as an important part of the Memory of the World Heritage. As a result of the Korean Wave and Korea 's economic prosperity, desire to learn hangeul and the Korean language is exploding.
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| English |
Korean |
Korean Pronunciation |
| How are you? |
안녕하세요? |
Annyeong-haseyo? |
| Thank you. |
감사합니다. |
Gamsa-hamnida. |
| Yes. |
예. |
Ye. |
| No. |
아니요. |
Aniyo. |
| I am sorry. |
미안합니다. |
Mian-hamnida. |
| I enjoyed the meal. |
잘 먹었습니다. |
Jal mwogeot-sseumnida. |
| Please give me some more of this. |
이것 더 주세요. |
Igeot deo juseyo. |
| The check, please. |
계산서 주세요. |
Gyesanseo juseyo. |
| Do you take credit cards? |
카드로 계산할 수 있습니까? |
Kadeuro gyesan halsu isseumnikka? |
| How much is it? |
얼마입니까? |
Eolma-imnikka? |
| It is ________won. |
__________원 입니다. |
___________won imnida. |
| 5,000 |
오천 |
O-cheon |
| 10,000 |
만 |
Man |
| 15,000 |
만오천 |
Man-o-cheon |
| 20,000 |
이만 |
I-man |
| 30,000 |
삼만 |
Sam-man |
| where is the restroom? |
화장실 어디입니까? |
Hwajangsil oedi-imnikka |
| Goodbye. |
안녕히 계세요. |
Annyeonghi gyeseyo. |
Currency and Credit Cards
The unit of Korean currency is won (Korean won : KRW, ￦). Coin denominations are 10 won, 50 won, 100 won, 500 won. Bank notes are 1,000 won, 5,000 won, 10,000 won and 50,000 won. Bank checks are circulated in denominations of 100,000 won and over. Foreign currency and traveler's check can be converted into Korean won at foreign exchange banks and other authorized money exchangers. The exchange rate is subject to market fluctuations. 1 USD was equivalent to about 1,106 won as of March 2015. Credit cards (Visa, Master, Diners etc.) are accepted at hotels, department stores, and restaurants.
| Coins |
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500 won
obaek won |
100 won
baek won |
50 won
osip won |
10 won
sip won |
Electricity
The standard voltage in the Korea is 220 volts AC, 60 Hz with a round two-pin plug (same as in Germany or France). If your appliance plug has a different shape, you may need a plug adapter.
Weather
Korea's climate is regarded as a continental climate from a temperate standpoint and a monsoonal climate from a precipitation standpoint. The climate of Korea is characterized by four distinct seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. Spring lasts from late March to May and is warm. Various flowers, including the picturesque cherry blossom, cover the nation's mountains and fields during this time. For more information, visit http://visitseoul.net/en/information/weather/seoul-weather.jhtml
Tipping
Tipping is not a traditional Korean custom, but a 10% service charge is usually added to the bill at hotels and other tourist facilities, and tipping is not expected. It is not necessary to tip a taxi driver unless he assists you with luggage or provides an extra service.
Insurance and Emergency
The Organizing Committee will not be responsible for medical expenses, accidents, losses or other unexpected occurrences. Participants are advised to arrange their own insurance that they regard necessary. Emergency call numbers are: 112 for police and 119 for fire/rescue and hospital services.
Visa Information
All visitors to the Republic of Korea must have a valid passport and visa. Visitors with roundtrip tickets from countries who have a special agreement with Korea may be exempt from the visa requirement, and can stay in Korea visa-free for periods up to 30 days or 90 days, depending on the type of agreement between the two countries. When uncertain as to the requirement for entry visa to Korea, please contact the Korean embassy or a consulate as soon as possible. If you are in need of an individual invitation, please contact the secretariat (korea.bci2018@gmail.com).
For more information, please visit 'Ministry of Foreign Affairs' or 'Immigration Bureau'
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