Korea Travel Guide

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About South Korea & Seoul | About Pyeongchang | General Information | Emergency Situations

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General Information

Currency
Korea's official monetary unit is the ₩ (KRW) won. Notes come in denominations of ₩1,000, ₩5,000, ₩10,000 & ₩50,000. Coins come in ₩10, ₩50, ₩100 and ₩500.

Weather (Summer)
Average air temperature in Pyeongchang (Gangwon) at the end of June (over the last three years)

• The highest air temperature: 28℃ (about 82℉)
• The minimum air temperature: 21℃ (about 70℉)
• The mean air[atmospheric] temperature: 25℃ (about 77℉)

What to wear: Lightweight and breathable fabrics like cotton and linen.

Beginning in June and ending in August, the Korean summer is hot and humid, with average mean temperatures peaking at 25.7 degrees Celsius in August. The Korean rainy season, or jangma, begins in mid-June and continues for about a month. Compared with some other countries that experience monsoon, however, the rains are not especially heavy, with monthly precipitation peaking at 383 millimetres in July. Green spaces in Pyeongchan g (Gangwon) such as parks and mountains become especially verdant due to the moisture. Popular summertime activities in South Korea include biking, swimming, in-line skating, and windsurfing.

Electricity & Voltage
The standard voltage in Korea is 220 volts at 60 Hertz, and the outlet has two round holes. The type of socket is F, which is the European type.

Time Difference
Seoul Korea’s time zone is UTC + 9.
*Time in South Korea (timeanddate.com)

Korea SIM Card Purchase

Travelers coming to Korea can purchase eSIM or a physical SIM card prior to their arrival. South Korea has three main mobile carriers: KT Olleh, SK Telecom, and LG U+. All of these have 3G and 4G, networks which include call, text, and data services.

• eSIM: If you have eSIM compatible phone, you don’t have to visit an offline counter in airport but just download a plan by scanning a QR code. You can keep your own phone number as well since you don’t have to remove your original SIM card.
• Physical SIM: If you prefer a physical SIM card, you can purchase it online prior to arrival or after arrival at telecom company counters in airports.
  *Before replacing the SIM card, it is a good idea to download apps that require mobile phone authentication (taxi apps, portal web sites, etc.) in advance.

SIM Card may be purchase

• Online
  Travelers are strongly encouraged to purchase an eSIM or a SIM card online prior to your arrival. For SIM cards, you can purchase them online in advance and simply pick them up at the airport counter after arrival. Before you make a purchase, please consider your travel period and usage and choose the one that fits your needs. The most reliable and commonly used online eSIM/SIM shopping malls are LGU+ and KT now. eSIM is highly recommended since you do not have to visit an offline counter in the airport.
• Offline Store
  If you haven’t purchased the eSIM/SIM card online in advance, getting one from the airport convenience store is another great way to get one. You may refer to the below convenience stores located inside the airport.
  • Incheon International Airport: 1F Arrival Floor CU 1,2,3
  • Gimpo International Airport: 3F 7-Eleven (You can also get from Domestic Terminal or Subway Station “Gimpo Airport”)
  Separate from purchase, you can activate the SIM card by yourself whenever you need. You just need to follow the written description on the SIM card package and upload your information to register and it will usually be activated within 15 minutes.

Etiquette Guidelines

General Etiquette

1. Take your shoes off at the door when entering any residence, temple, or guesthouse.
2. Greet people you meet with a short bow—essentially a nod—and soft handshake using both hands.
3. Give and receive any object using both hands.
4. Tipping is not customary in Korea, however, some people may receive it while some may refuse. Just go with the flow!

Dining Etiquette

1. Start your meal once the eldest at the table begins eating.
2. Avoid touching food with your fingers, except when wrapping food in lettuce/cabbage.
3. Refrain from leaving your chopsticks or spoon sticking up from your bowl of rice, and use a spoon to eat rice.
4. Place chopsticks and spoon back in their original position at the end of the meal.

Conversation Etiquette

1. Refrain from pointing.
2. Wait until the person has finished speaking to understand the meaning, especially when speaking in Korean.
3. Always remember to be respectful as you would anywhere else and have a good time!

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Emergency Situations

Emergency Ready App
Emergency Ready App provides multilingual support in English, Chinese, and Japanese for 36 services, including disaster alerts, safety guides, and civil defense shelter locations.

Website: https://url.kr/d4s7ty
IOS APP: https://url.kr/yo81pt
AOS APP: https://url.kr/zl463h

Emergency Medical Services
In the event of an emergency, please contact the relevant department listed below.

• Police Department: 112 (for theft, assault, and other crimes)
• Fire Department: 119 (for general accidents and ambulance)
• Emergency Medical Information Center: 1339 (medical assistance for international visitors)
• Tourist Information Center: 1330 (for any other tourism-related assistance)

Pyeongchang Public Medical Center
Pyeongchang-gun Health and Medical Center
Location: 11, Noseong-ro, Pyeongchang-eup, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
Contact info: 033-332-4000

Pharmacies
All pharmacies in Korea are marked with a “약” sign and are well-stocked with Western medicine. Most over-the-counter drugs are only available at pharmacies, but basic over-the-counter drugs, like Tylenol or aspirin, can be purchased at convenience stores. Pharmacies are usually closed on Sundays, but many near major transportation hubs and subway stations often stay open.