| Seoul
Orientation
The capital city of South Korea, Seoul is the national commercial and cultural centre.
It is also the host city of the 1988 Olympic Games and co-host of the high-profile soccer World Cup
in 2002.
City Facts
- Seoul Population: 12,215,000 (Source: UN Population Division 2000 estimate)
- South Korea Population: 46,883,000 (Source: UN Population Division 2000 estimate)
- Currency: South Korean Won (KRW)
- Time Zone: GMT +9 hours
- Languages: Korean
Weather
Weather Forecast
Climate
The Seoul climate varies greatly between summer and winter, with temperatures
as high as 38°C (102°F) in summer (July and August) and dipping to -10°C (14°F) in winter.
Visitors should note that it is highly likely to rain between June and September, Seouls monsoon season.
Travel Tips
Custom
Korean names are usually 3 syllables long, with surnames given first. Visitors must
remember to refer to a Korean counterpart by their last name, like Mr. Kim, as referring to the Koreans
by their first name is considered disrespectful, especially in the business circle.
Dining
Korean food is very spicy, as garlic, ginger, soy sauce, red pepper and green onion
are generally the main ingredients to any Korean dish. World-famous Korean specialties include kimchi,
a spicy vegetable dish and pulgoki, Korean-styled barbequed beef.
Tipping Advice
Tipping is not widely accepted in Korea. Service charges are usually included in the
hotel charges. Taxi drivers should not be tipped, unless they provide a service beyond their call of duties.
Transportation
Although Seoul has two international airports, the city is easily accessible by high-standard
roads as well as a reliable train network.
Arriving by Air
The Seoul Incheon International Airport is the primary airport in Seoul.
Getting Around Seoul
Travelers getting to the city from the airport can use taxis, a fast subway service and
several bus services, like the City Express and Airport Express. Travel time should be between 50 minutes
to an hour, but visitors can avoid traffic delays by using the subway system. Seouls public transport is
fast and frequent, as buses and trains operate an extensive network.
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