South Korea is a very homogeneous country, with over 95% of the population identifying themselves as ethnically Korean and speaking the Korean language. However, the demographics are changing, with immigrants having passed the one million mark for the first time in history. The largest minority are the Chinese, numbering around 440,000, though the majority of them are Chinese citizens of Korean ethnicity. There is a smaller community of local-born Han Chinese residents numbering just over 26,000, mostly descended from early 20th-century immigrants from Shandong, known as Hwagyo (화교) in Korean. There are also workers from Mongolia, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, and other parts of the world. A community of 20,000 English teachers from anglophone nations are spread out throughout the country. A long-standing 30,000 American military personnel are stationed here. South Korea's large and growing economy has attracted people from all over the world. Seoul's leading financial center has brought many financial workers from North America, Europe, and Japan. Rural areas have seen farmers seek out wives from other countries such as China, Vietnam, and the Philippines to address the general shortage of Korean women in the countryside, and these communities can be seen in even the smallest towns nowadays.

South Korea has the world's lowest birth rates of only 0.7 children per woman (as of 2023), and with it a rapidly aging and declining population. How the country will deal with this demographic problem is unclear, with little change to policies to address the general resistance to immigration, traditional expectations that women give up their careers after motherhood, increasing costs of housing and living as well as the very high effort of raising even one child in the ultra-competitive education system. If trends continue then South Korea's population will fall by 50% as soon as 2100.

South Korea today is a full, vibrant and relatively stable democracy, with executive, judicial, and legislative branches of government. While it was established in 1948 as a democracy, the country had experienced political repression, military coups and effective dictatorships. Since the sixth republic was declared in 1987, it has had stable democratic government.

The president is the head of state and is elected for just one five-year term. Party composition and naming changes frequently in South Korean politics, although conservative, liberal, and progressive platforms are usually represented. In general, left-wing parties tend to support reconciliation and more cooperation with North Korea, while right-wing parties tend to support closer ties with the United States, whilst taking a tougher stance against North Korea.

Although the military remains a powerful force in Korean politics (not surprising given that Japan, China, and North Korea surround the country), it is widely considered that another military coup is very unlikely.

Having been in the cultural sphere of China for much of its history, substantial Chinese influences are evident in traditional Korean culture. Nevertheless, many fundamental differences remain, and Korea has retained a distinct cultural identity from its larger neighbor. Koreans are fiercely proud of their heritage and their resistance to outside domination.

During the Joseon dynasty, Korea's dominant philosophy was a strict form of Confucianism, perhaps even more stringent than the Chinese original. People were separated into a rigid hierarchy, with the king at the apex, an elite of officials and warriors and a small group of nobility (양반 yangban) below him, a middle class of petty civil servants (중인 chungin) below them, and then a vast population of commoners (상민 sangmin) at the bottom. The educated were superior to the uneducated, women served men, and everybody stuck to a defined role or faced severe consequences. Korea adopted its version of the imperial examination system invented by and used in China to select officials, creating somewhat of a premodern meritocracy for the government like its Chinese counterpart, though, unlike the Chinese version, the Korean version was largely restricted to the yangban and chungin classes. Buddhism was suppressed mainly due to the widespread corruption and greed of monks and temples during the waning stages of the Goryeo dynasty. While the Joseon dynasty ceased to exist in 1910, its legacy lives on in Korean culture: education and hard work are valued above all else, employees are expected to be unquestioningly obedient to their bosses, and women still struggle for equal treatment.

Koreans believe that the things that set them the most apart from other Asian cultures are their cuisine, language, and Hangul script. Outsiders will note their extreme modernity, tempered by a well-developed artistic and architectural joyfulness. Nothing goes undecorated if it can be helped, and they have a knack for stylish interior design. South Korea also has a vibrant film and TV industry, and the country is one of only a few in the world where local films have a larger market share than Hollywood films.

South Koreans firmly hold on to many ancient traditions that go back thousands of years, yet paradoxically, they are often obsessed with the latest technology. Consumer devices with amazing advanced technology developed in Korea are often several years ahead of the rest of the world.

South Korea has a significant number of Christians (18% Protestants, 11% Roman Catholic) and Buddhists (23% practicing, 47% non-practicing), and churches can be found in the towns and temples, and monasteries on hills. Over a third of the country professes to follow no particular organized religion. However, most people (including Christians) are still strongly influenced by traditional Korean Buddhist and Confucian philosophies that seeped into the Korean cultural background. Islam and several religions of Korean origin also have a few followers in parts of the country.

The game of Go, called baduk in Korean, is a traditional pastime and some of the world's strongest players are Korean.

Holidays

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Lunar New Year dates The year of the Dragon began on 4 Feb 2024 at 16:25, and the Lunar New Year was on 10 Feb 2024 The year of the Snake will begin on 3 Feb 2025 at 22:10, and the Lunar New Year will be on 29 January 2025 The year of the Horse will begin on 4 Feb 2026 at 4:02, and the Lunar New Year will be on 17 Feb 2026 Contrary to popular belief, the change of the zodiac does not occur on the first day of the Lunar New Year, but instead occurs on Li Chun (立春 lì chūn), the traditional Chinese start of spring.

Korea's traditional holidays mostly follow the lunar calendar and therefore fall on different days each year from the perspective of the Western Gregorian calendar. The two biggest, Lunar New Year and Chuseok, are family holidays where everybody returns to their hometowns en masse and all forms of transport are absolutely packed. It is worth planning your itinerary around these dates, as well as realizing that your best eating options may be noodle packets from a 7-Eleven! On the other holidays, you will not notice too much difference, however, all banks and government offices will be closed.

• New Year's Day (신정 Sinjeong) — January 1
• Lunar New Year (설날 Seollal, also known as "Korean New Year" or 구정 Gujeong) — 1st day of 1st lunar month (January–February) — Families gather together, eat traditional foods, especially tteokguk (떡국), and perform an ancestral service. The public holiday lasts for three days, which includes the eve and second day. Many shops and restaurants close for three days, so it is not ideal for visiting.
• Independence Movement Day (삼일절 or 3·1절 Samiljeol, lit. "3-1 Day") — March 1 — In commemoration of the March 1st resistance movement against the invading Japanese Imperial Army in 1919.
• Children's Day (어린이날 Eorininal) — 5 May — It is a celebration of the value of children's personality and the pursuit of their happiness.
• Buddha's Birthday (부처님 오신 날 Bucheonnim Osin Nal or 사월 초파일 Sawol Chopail) — 8th day of the 4th lunar month (April–May) —A legal holiday in South Korea commemorating the birth of Shakyamuni Buddha(석가모니).
• Memorial Day (현충일 Hyeonchung-il) — June 6 — Commemorates Koreans who gave their lives to the nation.
• Constitution Day (제헌절 Jeheonjeol) — July 17 — National Day of the Republic of Korea, commemorating the enactment and promulgation of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea (Constitution) on 17 July 1948.
• Liberation Day (광복절 Gwangbokjeol) — August 15 — This day is actually the end of World War II with the official Japanese surrender to the Allied forces, which also meant Korea gaining independence after many decades of Japanese colonialism.
• Chuseok (추석, often translated as "Korean Thanksgiving") — 15th day of 8th lunar month (September–October) — Koreans celebrate by eating traditional foods, notably a rice cake called songpyeon (송편) and playing folk games. The public holiday lasts for 3 days and much like Lunar New Year, everything shuts down which makes visiting rather boring.
• National Foundation Day (개천절 Gaecheonjeol) — October 3 — The holiday's name means "day of the open sky," hence the name. In celebration of the first formation of the nation of ancient Korea.
• Hangul Day (한글날 Hangeulnal) — October 9 — Anniversary for the Korean alphabet
• Christmas (크리스마스 Keuriseumaseu, 기독탄신일 Gidoktansinil, or 성탄절 Seongtanjeol) — December 25 — A full public holiday mostly celebrated by young couples spending a romantic day together. Although about 30% of the country is Christian, there is very little public religious celebration in the media or on the streets.

• Spring is an excellent time of year to be in Korea. The temperatures are warm, but not hot, and there's not too much rain either. However, spring is also when yellow dust storms blow over from China, making the air horrible to breathe. However, in May, temperatures are often closer to summer than spring.
• Summer starts with a dreary rainy season (장마철 jangma-cheol) in June and turns into a steambath in July–August, with extreme humidity and the temperature heading as high as 35 °C. Best avoided unless heading to the beaches.
• Autumn, starting in September, is perhaps the best time to be in Korea. Temperatures and humidity become more tolerable, fair days are common and the justly renowned fall colors make their appearance.
• Winter is a good time to go skiing or hot-spring hopping, and the Korean invention of ondol (온돌, floor heating) helps defrost any parts that froze outside. However, January and February can be bone-biting cold due to Siberian winds from the north. The south of the country (including Busan and Jeju) are relatively mild compared to the north (Seoul) during this season.

South Korean households and hotels use the same dual round sockets for their electrical outlets as most of Continental Europe. Some hotels may provide an adapter for you to use; ask for one at the reception desk.

South Korean electrical outlets accept appliances with a voltage rating of 220 V at 60 Hz. If your appliance has this rating that includes 220 V (Such as 100-240 V that most laptop chargers now accept), you will be able to use the appliance with only a plug adapter. If it falls below or above this rating, you must purchase a transformer or a voltage adapter before leaving your country.

Some very old buildings and very new hotels and apartments are dual wired and have 110 V outlets (identifiable by the smaller dual flat sockets) and the regular South Korean variety, built specifically to accommodate the Japanese and Americans.

A long and complicated relationship between the Western world and the South Korean nation has led to a plethora of literature on the country.

Books focused on Korean history:

• Battle for Korea: The Associated Press History of the Korean Conflict by Robert J. Dvorchak (1993) — Great journalistic photography accompanied by short descriptive narratives
• Korea Old and New: A History by Carter Eckert and Lee Ki-Baik (1991) — Simply stated writing, good overview of Korea's history
• Korea Witness: 135 Years of War, Crisis and New in the Land of the Morning Calm by Donald Kirk and Choe Sang Hun (2006) — Compilation of articles from foreign correspondents starting from 1871, notably from Jack London, a war correspondent from 1903–'04
• True Stories of the Korean Comfort Women by Keith Howard (1996) — Unflinching look at the atrocities committed during the Imperial Japanese occupation period

Books about Korean culture:

• The Koreans: Who They Are, What They Want, Where Their Future Lies by Michael Breen (1999) — Anecdotal accounts and insights of a British journalist on the country he spends half the year in; informative and entertaining
• Social Change in Korea published by Jimoondang (2008) — Compilation of articles written by academic experts on Korea
• The Discovery of Korea: History-Nature-Cultural Heritages-Art-Tradition-Cities by Yoo Myeong-jong (2005) — Amazing scenic views on Korea

South Korea has a substantial film industry, considering the size of the country. Many films can give you a good background to the country, and almost all DVDs will have good English subtitles.

The list below could include hundreds of films. However, the selection below will give you a good taste.

• Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War (태극기 휘날리며) — A story of two brothers serving as soldiers during the Korean War.
• Joint Security Area (공동경비구역) — A rather haunting movie about soldiers on opposite sides of the Demilitarized Zone who strike up a tenuous friendship.
• May 18 (화려한 휴가) — Until 1987, South Korea was effectively a military dictatorship. This film is a historical drama set during the infamous Gwangju massacre when military dictator Chun Doo-hwan ordered the shooting of protesters in that city.
• 5th Republic (제5공화국) — Another history TV drama covering Chun Doo-hwan's rise to power and administration. The drama portrays historical figures at that time well, and some scenes and quotes have since became memetic in neighbouring countries.
• Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring — A film set completely at an isolated lake in the mountains, which shows each season as a stage in the lives of a Buddhist monk and his adopted boy.
• Secret Sunshine (밀양) — A contemporary film about the nature of forgiveness set in the country town of Miryang.
• My Sassy Girl (엽기적인 그녀) — Romantic comedy that is often seen as a quintessential Korean movie experience, and especially well regarded by people from other Asian countries.
• The Host (괴물) — Monster horror film around the lives of a family in Seoul. A lot of footage of the Han river that flows through the middle of the city.
• Parasite (기생충) — Multi-award-winning film tackling themes of class in Korea.
• Roaring Currents (명량) — It is based on the naval battle of Myeongnyang, which took place at the beginning of the Korean War against Japan.
• International Markets (국제시장) — The movie depicts a generation fleeing the Korean War and trying to make ends meet.
• Train to Busan (부산행) — A zombie movie from South Korea. Unlike conventional zombie movies, these zombies are very fast!
• Snowy Train (설국열차) — It's an old favorite of director Bong Joon-ho, who made Parasite. Set on a train, it shows a very fresh and unconventional sense of class and direction.
• Assassination (암살) — Set in 1933 during the Japanese occupation of Korea, it shows the oppression of the country and the independence fighters who resisted it.

• Visit South Korea website

• Citizens of Canada are allowed visa free entry for up to 180 days.
• Citizens of the European Union (except Cyprus, Portugal, and French territory of New Caledonia), Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Serbia, Singapore, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United States/American Samoa (Except Guam), Uruguay, and Venezuela can visit visa free for up to 90 days.
• Citizens from Lesotho, Portugal, and Russia can visit visa free for up to 60 days.
• Citizens of Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Cyprus, Eswatini, Fiji, Guam, Guyana, Honduras, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kuwait, the Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Monaco, Montenegro, F.S. Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Oman, Palau, Paraguay, Qatar, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tonga, Tunisia, Tuvalu, the United Arab Emirates, and Vatican City can stay visa free for up to 30 days.

Those arriving from a country or territory with visa-free arrangements must use the K-ETA electronic travel authorization system at least 72 hours before departure to South Korea. The electronic travel authorization costs ₩10,000 and is valid for two years.

Jeju is an autonomous island province where the K-ETA travel requirement is in place for visitors from visa-waiver nations. Besides the K-ETA, entry is permitted for everyone except citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Cuba, Egypt, Gambia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Palestine, Pakistan, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Uzbekistan, and Yemen for up to 30 days. If you enter Jeju without requiring a K-ETA and subsequently leave for the mainland, you will need to have a valid visa for the rest of South Korea.

Since 2020, the use of a traditional sticker visa has been discontinued for many countries. Instead, a notice of visa issuance printed on ordinary paper will be returned. You need to keep a copy of this and present it to airline staff and border officers when requested.

South Korea is really good at keeping electronic track of everyone coming and going, so do not overstay your visa. Violations will likely result in you being banned from re-entering, and prosecution is a possibility.

Military personnel traveling under the U.S.–South Korea Status of Forces Agreement do not require a passport for entry, provided they hold a copy of their travel orders and a military ID. Their dependents, however, must have a passport and A-3 visa.

Most foreigners staying longer than 90 days must register with the authorities within 90 days of entry and obtain an Alien Registration Card. Contact local authorities for further information.

The Korean Immigration Service collects the biometric data (digital photos and fingerprints) of foreign visitors at ports of entry (international airports and seaports). Entry will be denied if any of these procedures is refused. Children under the age of 17 and foreign government and international organization officials and their accompanying immediate family members are exempt from this requirement.

South Korea has many international airports; however, only a few have scheduled services. South Korea has experienced an airport building frenzy over the last decade. Many large towns have dedicated functioning airports that handle only a handful of flights a week.

• Incheon International Airport (ICN ^IATA), about 1 hour west of Seoul, is the country's largest airport and is served by many international airlines. There are many options for flying there from locations throughout Asia, Europe, North America, and even routes to South America and Africa. It is also frequently rated as "the best run and best designed airport in the world". There are direct inter-city buses that travel from just outside the international arrival hall to many locations throughout South Korea. The airport has a metro line (express AREX 43 min and all-stop subway 56 min) that goes directly to both Seoul–Gimpo airport and Seoul Station.
• Seoul's Gimpo Airport (GMP ^IATA) offers domestic flights to most South Korean cities, and the international "city shuttle" services from Tokyo–Haneda, Beijing, Shanghai–Hongqiao and Taipei–Songshan are quite convenient. It is more centrally located to Seoul than Incheon. You can connect from Incheon airport either by train or by limousine bus.
• Busan's Gimhae International Airport (PUS ^IATA) has international connections from East and Southeast Asia, as well as Vladivostok, Guam, and Saipan. Gimhae also has a few flights a day directly to/from Seoul–Incheon, which is much more convenient than changing to Seoul–Gimpo airport after a long international flight. This service is intended for connecting passengers only and cannot be booked separately. The airport has a light rail line connecting Gimhae and West Busan.
• Jeju (CJU ^IATA) has flights from many South Korean cities and international flights from Kuala Lumpur and major Taiwanese, Japanese, and Chinese cities. The Seoul (Gimpo)—Jeju route is the busiest flight corridor in the world, and the island is well-served from other Korean airports.
• Airports at Daegu, Muan (close to Gwangju and Mokpo), Cheongju (close to Daejeon and Sejong), Yangyang also have international connections to major Japanese, Chinese, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese airports.

Flag carrier Korean Air (대한항공 Daehan Hanggong) and Asiana (아시아나 항공 Asiana Hanggong) are the principal full-service carriers from South Korea that fly around the world. Korean airlines' safety records have improved dramatically since the 1990s, and they are now just as safe as any Western airline. Several low-cost airlines offer domestic flights to Jeju from every airport in South Korea and international flights across Asia.

Although there is a train track connecting the Korail network with North Korea and a (symbolic) Korail station on the border, there are no train services across to the North.

The services listed here may change frequently, and English language websites may not be updated with the current information. Verify before traveling.

Busan's International Passenger Terminal is the largest seaport in the country and offers ferry rides mostly to and from Japan. Two services run from Fukuoka to Busan, with the JR Beetle hydrofoil service managing the trip in just under three hours several times per day and the New Camelia in 5.5 hours daily. All other links are slower overnight ferries, such as Pukwan Ferry Company's services from Shimonoseki. A Busan–Osaka ferry is operated by Panstar Line Co., Ltd.. There are also multiple services from nearby Tsushima.

Incheon's International Ferry Terminal (연안부두 Yeonan Budu) has services from several cities in China, such as Weihai, Dandong, Qingdao and Tianjin. The largest operator is Jinchon^{[dead link]}, but Incheon Port has full listings on their website.

Pyeongtaek Port has several connections to cities in Shandong province, as well as cargo hopping options. There are multiple operators, but information is provided in the port authority's website.

Gunsan International Passenger Terminal has daily ferry connections from Shidao in Shandong province (Korean website^{[dead link]}).

There are also weekly departures from Vladivostok and Sakaiminato to Donghae operated by DBS Cruise Ferry Co^{[dead link]}.

Due to the political and military situation with North Korea, entering South Korea overland is not possible. The border between North and South Korea is considered the most heavily fortified border in the world, and while some unauthorized crossings have occurred at the truce village of Panmunjeom, an attempt to cross the border anywhere would risk your life and the lives of soldiers on both sides.

If your North Korean tour includes a visit to Panmunjeom, you can briefly cross into South Korea within the confines of one of the conference rooms straddling the border. However, the southern door will guarded by a soldier, and you will not be allowed to proceed any further.

The most widely used transportation smart card is known as T-money (티머니 Ti-meoni) card. This can be used on local buses and subways throughout the country and taxis displaying the T-money logo. Fares and transfers up to 30 minutes are calculated automatically; tap on and tap off when riding on buses and trains. (In some buses in the countryside, you only need to tap on; watch locals to see what they do.) It even gives you a ₩100 discount on bus and subway rides, which is even more reason to use it. The card costs ₩3,000; it can be purchased at convenience stores displaying the T-money logo and at ticket vending machines in subway stations, as well as newsstands near subway stations. You can get back your credit in cash afterwards, less a ₩500 fee. Some retail shops may also accept payment by T-money, look for the logo. Out of all the smart cards, T-money has the largest network of stores where it can be used. T-money is also usable on the public transportation systems throughout the country, so it is a good option for traveling around South Korea. T-money cannot be used onboard inter-city buses, but it can be used at city bus stations to buy bus tickets to other cities. It also cannot be used on the KTX network.

There are other types of smart cards as well, including Cashbee, Wowpass and Namane. Cashbee is basically the same as T-money, though harder to find in Seoul. Being a product of the Lotte group, its main advantage is it can be used for purchases in any Lotte stores, of which there are many, in addition to city buses, subways, and convenience stores. The main advantage of the Namane card is that it can be used on KTX services. On the whole, T-money is the most useful smart card for the vast majority of visitors, but they are so cheap, there is no harm in getting more than one kind.

In addition, cities may have their own public transportation smart cards, such as Busan's Hanaro Card. Unlike T-money, these cards are often not usable outside their respective metropolitan areas, making them less useful for visitors travelling around the country.

South Korea is a relatively small country with a fast and efficient train service, so flying is not the fastest way to get places unless you are going to the island of Jeju.

Nevertheless, plenty of airlines fly between the main cities at rates comparable to the KTX train. Most flights are with Korean Air or Asiana, however many new options exist with budget airlines such as T'way Air, Air Busan, Eastar Jet, Jin Air^{[dead link]} and Jeju Air (which despite the name also serves the busy Seoul–Gimpo to Busan route). Service is similar between full service and low-cost airlines on domestic flights; low-cost airlines offer free soft drinks and 15 kg of checked luggage.

Main article: Rail travel in South Korea

National train operator Korail (KR) connects major cities in South Korea. A large amount of money has been plowed into the network, and trains are now competitive with buses and planes on speed and price, with high safety standards and a good deal of comfort. For booking, there is a clunky but usable iPhone app that supports English.

South Korea's flagship service is the high speed Korea Train eXpress (KTX) with services from Seoul to Busan, Yeosu, Mokpo, Masan, and Gangneung. The competing Super Rapid Train (SRT) also offers services on the core Seoul-Busan/Mokpo routes.

KTX and SRT trains use French TGV technology and Korean technology to travel at more than 300 km/h. The fastest non-stop trains travel between Busan and Seoul in just over two hours. There are vending machines on board that serve drinks and snacks and earphones, and cell phone chargers.

Non-KTX trains are poetically ranked as ITX-Saemaeul (ITX-새마을, "New Village"), Mugunghwa (무궁화, "Rose of Sharon", which is the national flower of Korea) and Tonggeun (통근, "commuter"), corresponding roughly to express, semi-express and local commuter services. All ITX-Saemaeul and Mugunghwa trains can travel at up to 150 km/h. ITX-Saemaeul trains are a little pricier than buses, while Mugunghwa are about 30% cheaper. However, ITX-Saemaeul trains are incredibly comfortable, having seats comparable to business class seats on airplanes. Since the introduction of the KTX, there are much fewer ITX-Saemaeul and Mugunghwa services, but they are worth trying out. Tonggeun are cheapest of all, but long-distance, unairconditioned services have been phased out, and they're now limited to short regional commuter services in Gwangju.

Also, there is a ITX-Cheongchun service between Seoul and Chuncheon. It's a special version of ITX at that line.

Saemaeul and some Mugunghwa trains are equipped with power plugs on laptop seats.

Smoking is not permitted on any Korean trains or stations (including open platforms).

Tickets are much cheaper than in Japan but more expensive than other Asian countries — although the damage can be lowered by traveling on local trains rather than KTX. Buying tickets is fairly easy: self-service terminals accepting cash and credit cards are in multiple languages and are very simple to use. Station staff can usually speak basic English. Most stations are clean, modern, and have good signposting in Korean and English, and compared to China or Japan, Korea's rail system is very user-friendly.

Pre-booking any train tickets a day prior (be they KTX, ITX-Saemaeul, or Mugunghwa) is recommended for weekend trips, as all trains can be booked up for hours on end. On Sunday in particular, all but local trains may regularly be completely booked up. If you don't reserve tickets in advance when departing busy hubs such as Seoul or Busan, you may see your options reduced to "unallocated seating" on the slowest local trains (sitting on the floor in the un-air-conditioned space between carriages, or standing in the toilet for much of the trip). You are, however, free to sit on any seat that seems free until someone with the ticket to that seat shows up. If you are confident in your Korean, you can ask to reserve seats on available sections and travel standing up the rest of the way.

There are also tourist many trains that let you go to rural and scenic parts of Korea.

Seoul also has an extensive commuter train network that smoothly interoperates with the massive subway system, and Busan, Daejeon, Daegu, Gwangju and Incheon also have subway services.

Buses (버스 beoseu) remain the main mode of national transport, connecting all cities and towns. They're frequent, punctual, and fast, sometimes dangerously so, so fasten the belts you'll often find in the seats. Korean buses don't have toilets, and rest stops are not standard on trips of less than 2 hours, so think twice about that bottle of tea at the terminal. Unlike trains, bus terminal staff and drivers are less likely to speak or understand English, and even signage is often only in Korean. Having your destination written down in hangul will be helpful.

There is a somewhat pointless division of long-distance buses into express buses (고속버스 gosok beoseu), which use toll expressways and are thus slightly faster but also more expensive, and intercity buses (시외버스 si-oe beoseu), which are a bit slower but go more places. Timetables, fares and tickets are available on their respective websites, which are Kobus and TxBus respectively. Whichever one you pick, you'll need to choose in advance, since in larger cities they depart from different terminals.

For additional comfort, look for udeung buses (우등 버스, glossed "Excellent" on the Kobus website) which have just three seats across instead of the usual four; these cost about 50% extra. However, some intercity buses use udeung buses without extra fares on highly competitive lines such as Seoul–Andong routes.

In addition, local inner-city bus (시내버스 si-nae beoseu) networks often connect directly neighboring cities, and Incheon Airport has its own dedicated network of airport limousine buses.

Ferry boats surround the peninsula and shuttle out to Korea's many islands. The main ports include Incheon, Mokpo, Pohang, and Busan. The most popular destinations are Jeju and Ulleungdo.

There is a daily service from Busan to Jeju. There are mostly undiscovered and scenic islands near Incheon that can seem almost deserted.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) may be used to drive around South Korea. In general, road conditions are good in South Korea, and directional signs are in both Korean and English. Car rental rates start from ₩54,400/day for the smallest car with a week's rental. South Korea drives on the right in left-hand-drive cars. South Korea also follows the American practice of allowing cars to turn right at red lights as long as they (in theory) yield to pedestrians. In contrast, left turns on green lights are illegal unless there is a blue sign pointing left saying 비보호 or green left arrow.

If you are traveling in the big cities, especially Seoul or Busan, driving is not recommended as the roads often experience heavy traffic jams, and parking is expensive and difficult to find. Many drivers tend to get reckless under such conditions, weaving in and out of traffic. Drivers often try to speed past traffic lights when they are about to turn red, and several cars (including fully-loaded public transit buses) will typically run through lights after they have turned red, whether pedestrians are in the crosswalk or not.

Koreans consider driving rules as guidelines only and don't expect to be punished for parking illegally or cutting through a red light. This means that if you want to drive, you will need to do so assertively by pushing yourself into an intersection and forcing other cars to yield.

A GPS is highly recommended while navigating Seoul or Busan. Lanes end or turn into bus lanes with little to no warning, and it may not always be obvious where turns are allowed. A good rule of thumb is to stay in the middle lane as cars will often illegally park in the right lane while the left lane will become a turning lane with little warning. However, Google Maps and Apple Maps cannot be used for navigation in South Korea due to national security laws prohibiting the distribution of mapping data to other countries. You should use Naver Map or Kakao Map instead.

Taxis are convenient, if a somewhat pricey way of getting around the cities, and are sometimes the only practical way of reaching a place. Even in the major cities, you are extremely unlikely to get an English-speaking taxi driver, so it will be necessary to have the name of your destination written in Korean to show your taxi driver. Likewise, get your hotel's business card to show the taxi driver in case you get lost.

Although doing so is illegal, cab drivers, particularly the cheaper white cabs on busy Friday or Saturday nights, may deny service to short-distance fares. A very handy technique to counter this is to have your destination (hotel name, or the district (구 gu) and neighborhood (동 dong), in Korean of course) written in thick black ink on a large A4 sheet of paper and hold it to the traffic. Passing cab drivers responding to long-distance call outs, or with space in their cab in addition to an existing fare in that direction will often pick you up en route.

In particular, when hailing a cab, ensure you follow the local custom and wave it over with your hand extended but all your fingers extended downwards and beckoning as opposed to upwards in the Western fashion (this style is reserved for animals).

As of Nov 2023, it is illegal to refuse a short ride in a taxi, and it is also illegal to ride in a taxi while it is operating. By using apps such as Kakao Taxi, I.m Taxi, and uber, you can book a taxi without language difficulties and without worrying about being overcharged.

Korea was traditionally home to two types of theatre: talchum (탈춤) and pansori (판소리).

Talchum is a traditional type of dance performed by people wearing masks, often accompanied with singing. It originated in Hwanghae province in what is now North Korea, though it has since spread around the country. Traditional Hwanghae-style talchum is also performed in the South, often by North Korean refugees and their descendants.

Pansori is a type of musical storytelling involving a storyteller and a drummer, with the storyteller usually expected to use their voices and facial expressions for dramatic effect. Following contact with Western styles of drama, pansori evolved into changgeuk (창극) in the early 20th century, which is essentially Korean opera, with actors and an accompanying orchestra.

Gisaeng (기생) or kisaeng are the Korean equivalent of the Japanese geisha (or more accurately, courtesans known as oiran), and were historically sex workers trained in the arts of poetry, calligraphy and music, entertaining clients with their skills and conversation. While the tradition has largely died out in modern South Korea, gisaeng are often featured in Korean historical dramas, and many of their traditional arts are now being revived.

Baseball was brought to Korea by American missionaries in 1904 and is the most popular sport in the country. Most cities have a team and the biggest are sponsored by the largest South Korean companies, and many South Korean players have become famous Major League Baseball players in the United States. The top baseball league in South Korea is the KBO League, featuring 10 teams from 8 cities. The South Korean national baseball team is also regarded as one of the strongest in the world, finishing second at the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Soccer is becoming more important to South Korea over time, and is a sport shared by North and South. South Korea is one of the strongest teams in Asia and some of their players work have had successful careers in the top European leagues. The sport gained an incredible amount of short term popularity when the South Korean national team reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2002, and even today the country stops for World Cup matches. Unfortunately the enthusiasm for domestic and friendly international games is extremely low, and stadiums are usually mostly empty.

Other popular sports include golf and basketball. Badminton, table tennis and bowling are also popular and facilities for the public are widely available in cities. Korean martial arts such as taekwondo (태권도) are also popular. Golf particularly has a strong following, with membership fees for Korea's top golf clubs being more expensive than those in neighboring Japan or the United States. Many of the world's top female golfers are from South Korea or of Korean descent. Archery is also a popular sport, with South Korea dominating the archery events at the Olympics.

As for winter sports, speed skating (especially short track) and figure skating are extremely popular due to the repeated success of South Korea in the Winter Olympics, with South Korea dominating the short track speed skating events. The city of Pyeongchang hosted the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.

The currency of South Korea is the South Korean won, denoted by ₩ (ISO code: KRW) and written 원 (won) in the Korean language.

Bills come in denominations of ₩1,000 (blue), ₩5,000 (red), ₩10,000 (green) and ₩50,000 (yellow). The ₩50,000 is very practical if you need to carry around a reasonable amount of cash, however it can be hard to use on goods or services with a value of less than ₩10,000. The ₩50,000 can be hard to find and often only provided by ATM's that display a picture of the yellow note on the outside.

₩100,000 "checks" are frequently used, and some of the checks go up to ₩10,000,000 in value. These checks are privately issued by banks and can be used instead of cash for larger purchases, such as hotel rooms.

Coins mainly come in denominations of ₩10, ₩50, ₩100 and ₩500. Very rare ₩1 and ₩5 coins do exist.

You may occasionally see prices in single and double-digits or with decimal places - these prices are in thousand wons (e.g. if you see 3.5 on a price tag or menu item, it means the price is ₩3,500).

Make sure to bring your passport whenever you exchange money. This also applies at automated machines that dispense Korean won and T-money smart cards.

Credit card acceptance in shops, hotels and other businesses on the other hand is very good, and all but the very cheapest restaurants and motels will accept Visa and MasterCard. Even small purchases such as ₩4,000 for a coffee are okay. This works well since credit cards have good exchange rates, however if you are using a foreign card then you should ensure with your bank that there isn't a fee for this foreign transaction.

ATMs are ubiquitous, although using a foreign card with them is rather hit and miss. There are however many special global ATMs which accept foreign cards. They can generally be found at Shinhan/Jeju Bank, airports, in areas frequented by foreigners, in major cities, some subway stations, and in many Family Mart convenience stores — most of the time indicated by the "Foreign Cards" button on the screen. Some banks, such as Citibank, have a fee of ₩3,500 for foreign cards. Before heading to the countryside where foreign cards are less likely to be accepted, be sure to have cash or another source of money.

T-money smart cards are an alternative source of payment accepted widely, especially for public transportation. (See § Smart cards.) Some other cities have their own smart cards, and topping up T-money outside of Seoul can be a problem but at Shinhan/Jeju Bank it should always be possible. You may need to ask the local cashier for help due to the Korean-only menus/buttons.

If you plan on staying in South Korea for a longer time, you'll probably want to set up a bank account at a Korean bank such as Woori Bank, which can then be used at the bank's ATMs throughout the country. (Even some non-local accounts can do this, e.g. Woori Bank accounts setup in China come with an ATM card that can be used with all its ATMs in South Korea.) Many banks will even allow you to open an account on a tourist visa, though the services you will be able to access will often be very limited. Some of the larger banks may have English-speaking staff on hand at their major branches.

South Korea is fairly expensive compared to most Asian countries, but cheaper compared to other modern developed countries such as Japan and most Western countries. A frugal backpacker who enjoys eating, living and travelling Korean-style can easily squeeze by on under ₩60,000/day, but if you want top-class hotels and Western food even ₩200,000/day will not suffice. Seoul is more expensive than the rest of the country, and has become particularly expensive competing in many ways with Tokyo, but this has eased since the financial crisis and weakness in the Japanese yen.

Generally speaking it is rare to buy or be charged anything valued less than ₩100.

Tipping is not expected anywhere in South Korea and is not practiced by Koreans. It could be considered an insult between Koreans as it is regarded as giving someone charity, although people generally know of American tipping culture and would be understanding of a foreigner doing this.

Many hotels and a few tourist restaurants add 10% service charge on their bills. Bellhops, hotel maids, taxi drivers and bars frequented by Westerners will not reject any tips that you care to hand out.

Restaurants sometimes provide complimentary food or drinks to customers as a sign of generosity or to reward customer loyalty. Colloquially, this is known as "service".

At certain retail outlets with a "Tax Free Shopping" or a "Tax Refund Shopping" sign, you can obtain a voucher and get a large percentage (approx. 10%) of your purchase refunded for individual purchases between ₩30,000 and ₩200,000, and with a total limit of ₩1 million. When you leave South Korea, go to customs and have it stamped then go to the "Global Refund Korea" or "Korea Tax Refund" counters near the duty-free shops. However, to get a refund you must leave within 3 months of purchase.

Bargaining is common at outdoor markets and applies to everything they may have to offer. However, do not state a specific monetary amount. Instead, say "ssage juseyo" (싸게 주세요, "Cheaper, please."). Doing this once or twice will suffice. However, you will rarely be discounted more than a few dollars.

Korea is the ginseng (인삼 insam) capital of the world. Widely considered to have medicinal properties, it can be found in special mountain areas throughout Korea. A thick black paste made from ginseng is popular, as is ginseng tea and various other products. There are many grades of ginseng, with the best grades potentially fetching millions of US dollars at auctions. A good place to check out the different types of ginseng would be Gyeongdong Herbal Medicine Market in Seoul.

Visitors looking for traditional items to bring home can find a wide variety of choices. You can find a blue-jade celadon from the Goryeo Dynasty, handmade traditional costumes, paper kites and ceramic pieces that depict human emotions in their designs at the numerous markets and souvenir shops. Insadong in Seoul would be the first place to shop around. After a while one store might start to look like every other store but chances are you'll find what you need.

Keeping up with the latest fashion trends, shoppers and boutique owners alike flock the streets and markets every weekend. Centered largely in Seoul with popular places such as Dongdaemun, Mok dong Rodeo Street and Myeong dong, fashion centers can be divided into two large categories; markets and department stores. Markets are affordable and each shop will have trendy similar type clothing that appeal to the masses. Also, be aware that you cannot try on most tops. So better to know your size before shopping there. Though department stores will have areas or floors that have discounted items, they are considered overpriced and catering mostly to an older, wealthier crowd.

The traditional Korean garment known as the hanbok (한복), which is still worn by South Koreans for special occasions and historical re-enactments, and can be found in various garment markets. While a traditional hanbok requires visiting a specialist shop and customized fittings, making it rather expensive, more casual versions that are more practical for daily use and significantly cheaper can also be found. A popular place to get a traditional hanbok is the second floor of Gwangjang Market in Seoul, where you can find many traditional hanbok tailors, each with a wide array of fabrics to choose from. When wearing a hanbok, it should always be wrapped left over right; doing it the other way round is a major faux pass as that is only done when dressing the dead.

For all things considered antique, such as furniture, calligraphic works, ceramics and books, you can go to Jangangpyeong Antique Market in Seoul. Items over 50 years old cannot leave the country. Check with the Art and Antique Assessment Office at +82-32-740-2921.

Electronics such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops and other gadgets are widely available, especially in larger cities like Seoul and Busan. For the most part these same devices are available in most Western countries and the warranties may not be honored outside of Korea. You would also probably have to contend with having the instruction booklets and functions being written in Korean. Korean Rice Cookers are very popular with visitors from East Asia - with many more models and at a cheaper price than abroad - just be aware that 'voice activated' cookers may require you to speak Korean to them!

K-pop is a large element of the Korean Wave (hallyu) phenomenon that took much of Asia by storm at the beginning of the 21st century, and spread to the West in the 2020s, so you might want to stream the latest Korean music by popular K-pop singers and groups — and discover some of the lesser-known ones. K-pop artistes are signed by talent agencies and record companies at a very young age, and typically train arduously for many years before they are allowed to debut. These days, K-pop singers are recruited not just from South Korea, but also from across East Asia such as China, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam, and overseas Korean-American and Korean-Australian communities. Controversially, aspiring K-pop artists are made to sign contracts that give them little control over their private lives, often banning them from dating in order to maintain the illusion of "availability" to their fans. In terms of shopping, there are plenty of opportunities to buy merchandise — such as posters, t-shirts, mobile phone cases. Most music is now consumed as digital downloads, but there are still some music shops selling CD's to be found. And if you want to see them live, there is of course no better place than South Korea.

K-dramas are massively popular in Asia and streaming a drama will certainly last you many rainy afternoons. It is possible to visit many famous K-Drama locations and possibly buy related merchandize there. Many tourists like to hire traditional costumes from historical dramas and recreate the scenes. These days it is possible to stream recent K-Dramas around most of the world, although it is still possible to buy a series box set on DVD if you look hard enough (note that Korean DVD's will be locked to DVD region 3 and may not have foreign subtitles).

Korean utensils (수저 sujeo) consist of a spoon (숟가락 sutgarak) and chopsticks (젓가락 jeotgarak). Unique in Asia, Koreans use chopsticks made of metal, which don't burn when used over a hot grill and are easier to wash and reuse. Restaurants typically provide stainless steel chopsticks, which unfortunately for the chopstick learner, are very difficult to use! These thin and slippery sticks are not as easy as the wooden or plastic chopsticks but you'll still manage with some fumbling.

Spoons are used to eat rice, soup, and porridge. (Koreans find it strange that their Asian neighbors eat rice with chopsticks.) Dongaseu (돈가스, Japanese-style tonkatsu or fried pork cutlet) is eaten with a fork and knife. Many Korean restaurants may also offer Western cutlery to a Westerner.

When eating as a group, communal dishes will be placed in the center and everybody can chopstick what they want, but you'll still get individual portions of rice and soup. Unless you are eating royal cuisine, most dishes are served family style.

In many traditional households, children were taught that it is impolite to speak during meals. Don't be surprised if there's complete silence while eating. People, particularly men, will use mealtimes to quickly eat up and move on to other things. This can be attributed to the short mealtimes during military service that most young Korean men must perform.

Some etiquette pointers:

• Do not leave chopsticks sticking upright in a dish, especially rice. This is only done when honoring the deceased. Similarly, a spoon sticking upright into a bowl of rice is also not a good sign.
• Do not pick up your chopsticks or start eating until the eldest at the table has begun to eat.
• Do not lift any plates or bowls off the table while eating, as Koreans consider this to be rude.
• Do not make noises by hitting your utensils on the food bowls and plates.

Going hungry in South Korea would be difficult. Everywhere you turn, there is always somewhere to eat. Korean restaurants can be divided into a few categories:

• Bunsik (분식) are snack eateries that have cheap, tasty food prepared quickly.
• Kogijip (고기집), literally meaning "meat house", are where you'll find grilled meat dishes and fixings.
• Hoejip (회집), "raw fish house", serve slices of fresh fish akin to Japanese sashimi, known as hwe in Korean, and free side dishes. You'll normally find these restaurants cluttering the shores of any waterway.
• Hansik (한식) serve the full-course Korean meal (한정식, hanjeongsik), a Korean haute cuisine that originated with banquets given at the royal palace. Traditionally served all at once, restaurants today will serve courses separately. The meal starts with a cold appetizer and juk (죽, porridge). The main dish includes seasoned meat and vegetable dishes that can be either steamed, boiled, fried or grilled. After the meal, you are served traditional drinks such as sikhye or sujeonggwa.
• Department stores have two types of food areas: a food hall in the basement and full service restaurants on the top levels. The food hall areas have take-away as well as eat-in areas. The full service restaurants are more expensive, but typically have the advantage of picture menus and good ambience.

Korean barbecue is probably the most popular Korean dish for Westerners. In Korea, it's split into bulgogi (불고기, thin cuts of marinated meat), galbi (갈비, ribs, usually unmarinated), and a few other categories. In these, a charcoal brazier is placed in the middle of the table, and you cook your choice of meats, adding garlic to the brazier for spice. A popular way of eating it is to wrap the meat with a lettuce or perilla leaf, adding shredded green onion salad (파무침 pa-muchim), raw or cooked garlic, shredded pickled radish (무채 muchae) and ssamjang (쌈장, a sauce made from doenjang, gochujang, and other flavorings) to your liking.

The cost of a barbecue meal depends largely on the meat chosen. In most Korean restaurants that serve meat, it is sold in units (usually 100 grams). Pork is by far the most common meat ordered; it's much cheaper than beef and according to diners tastier. You'll rarely see filet mignon; instead, common cuts of meat include ribs, unsalted pork bacon (삼겹살 samgyeopsal) and chicken stir-fried with veggies and spicy sauce (닭갈비 dak-galbi). Unmarinated meats tend to be higher quality, but in cheaper joints it's best to stick with the marinated stuff.

Bibimbap (비빔밥) literally means "mixed rice", which is a pretty good description. It consists of a bowl of rice topped with vegetables and usually shreds of meat and an egg, which you mix up with your spoon, stirring in your preferred quantity of gochujang, and then devour. Particularly tasty is dolsot bibimbap (돌솥비빔밥), served in a piping hot stone bowl (watch your fingers!) that cooks the rice to a crisp on the bottom and edges.

Another healthy and tasty option is gimbap (김밥), sometimes dubbed "Korean sushi rolls". Gimbap contains rice, sesame seed, a Korean variety of spinach, pickled radish, and an optional meat such as minced beef or tuna, all neatly wrapped in dried seaweed, topped with sesame oil and sliced. A single roll makes a good snack or a whole meal depending on your appetite, and they travel well. What differentiates Korean gimbap and Japanese sushi is how they prepare rice: gimbap usually uses salt and sesame oil to flavor the rice, while sushi uses sugar and vinegar. Also, gimbap usually does not feature raw fish.

More of a snack than a meal is tteokbokki (떡볶이), which resembles a pile of steaming intestines at first sight, but is actually rice cakes (떡, tteok) in a sweet chili sauce that's much milder than it looks.

Fried rice (볶음밥 bokkeum-bap) is also popular in South Korea, often as an add-on at the end of a meal that is cooked on a tabletop stove (like bulgogi or dakgalbi). It can also be ordered as a standalone dish in some places; kimchi fried rice (김치볶음밥 gimchi-bokkeum-bap) is a popular comfort dish for South Koreans.

Soups are known as guk (국) or tang (탕), while jjigae (찌개) covers a wide variety of stews. The line is fuzzy, and a few dishes can be referred to with both (e.g. the fish soup-stew dongtae jjigae/dongtaetang), but in general, jjigae are spicier and thicker while guk/tang are milder. Both are always eaten with plenty of white rice on the side.

Common versions of jjigae include doenjang jjigae (된장찌개), made with doenjang, vegetables and shellfish, and gimchi jjigae (김치찌개), made with — you guessed it — kimchi. Sundubu jjigae (순두부찌개) uses soft tofu as the main ingredient, usually with minced pork added, but there's also a seafood version called haemul sundubu jjigae (해물 순두부찌개) where the meat is replaced by shrimp, squid and the like.

Budae jjigae (부대찌개) is an interesting type of Korean fusion food from the city of Uijeongbu, where a U.S. military base is located. During the Korean War, the then-impoverished locals put together a dish using scraps from the American bases such as spam, sausages, and pork and beans, and while recipes vary, most of them involve large quantities of fiery kimchi. Most places will bring you a big pan of stew and put it on a gas stove in the middle of the table. Many like to put ramyeon noodles (라면 사리) in the stew, which is optional.

Popular tang soups include seolleongtang (설렁탕), a milky white broth from ox bones and meat, gamjatang (감자탕), a stew of potatoes with pork spine and chilies, and doganitang (도가니탕), made from cow knees. One soup worth a special mention is samgyetang (삼계탕), which is a whole spring chicken stuffed with ginseng and rice. Thanks to the ginseng, it's often a little expensive, but the taste is quite mild. It's commonly eaten right before the hottest part of summer in warm broth in a sort of "eat the heat to beat the heat" tradition.

Guk are mostly side dishes like the seaweed soup miyeokguk (미역국) and the dumpling soup manduguk (만두국), but a few like the scary-looking pork spine and ox blood soup haejangguk (해장국), a popular hangover remedy, are substantial enough to be a meal.

Koreans love noodles, and the terms kuksu (국수) and myeon (면) span a vast variety of types available. They're often sold in fast-food noodle shops for as little as ₩3000. Wheat-based noodles are a staple of Korea.

Naengmyeon (냉면) are a Korean specialty, originally from the north. The thin, chewy buckwheat noodles served in ice-cold beef broth are a popular summer dish — although it's traditionally a winter food! They're also a classic way to end a heavy, meaty barbecue meal. The key to the dish is the broth (육수 yuksu); the recipes of well known restaurants are usually closely guarded secrets. Generally comes in two distinct styles: Pyongyang mul naengmyeon with a clear broth, and Hamhung bibim naengmyeon with a spicy dressing and chewier potato noodles.

Japchae (잡채), literally "mixed vegetables", are yam noodles fried along with some vegetables (commonly cabbage, carrots, onions) and sometimes beef or odeng (fishcake). Mandu (만두) dumplings are also very popular and are served up in steamed or fried as an accompaniment to other foods, or boiled in soup to make a whole meal.

Ramyeon (라면) is Korea's variant of ramen, often served with — what else? — kimchi. Korean ramyeon is well known for its overall spiciness, at least when compared to Japanese ramen. The Shin Ramyun brand of instant noodles are exported to over 100 countries.

Jajangmyeon (자장면) is considered to be Chinese food by Koreans, tracing its origins to immigrants from China's Shandong province, who derived it from the northern Chinese dish zhájiàngmiàn. It is a wheat noodle dish served with a black sauce that usually includes minced pork, onions, cucumber, and garlic, and is typically served at (what are liberally described as) Chinese restaurants. Its sauce contains some caramel and therefore makes the overall dish sweet. A popular combination is jajangmyeon with "Chinese" sweet and sour pork and chicken.

Jjamppong (짬뽕) is a "Chinese" noodle dish comprising of noodles in a red spicy pork or seafood broth, originally derived from the Shandong dish chǎomǎmiàn. Often served with jajangmeyon in a special bowl split down the middle, this combination is known as jjamjjamyeon (짬짜면).

Finally, udong (우동) are thick wheat noodles, akin to Japanese udon.

Since Korea is a peninsula, you can find every type of seafood (해물 haemul), eaten both cooked and raw. Restaurants where you pick your own fish — or bring it from the fish market next door — are popular, but can be very expensive depending on what you order.

Hoe (회, pronounced roughly "hweh") is raw fish Korean-style (similar to sashimi), served with spicy cho-gochujang sauce (a mixture of gochujang and vinegar). Chobap (초밥) is raw fish with vinegared rice, similar to Japanese sushi. In both dishes, the bony parts not served raw are often made into a tasty but spicy soup called meuntang (매운탕).

Another cooked specialty is haemultang (해물탕), a spicy red hotpot stew filled crab, shrimp, fish, squid, vegetables and noodles.

Whale meat is available in a few restaurants in the cities and at festivals in smaller coastal towns, but is not easy to find and unlike Japan is not considered part of national culture. The city of Pohang has a long history of whaling, and its seafood market still openly offers whale. South Korea has outlawed whaling following the International Whaling Commission international moratorium in 1986, although makes an exception for whales caught by accident during regular fishing. Whale meat sourced from Japan has been sold in some restaurants, which is illegal (although the law is usually ignored). Whale restaurants are easy to identify, with pictures of whales on the outside leaving you in no doubt. If you choose to eat whale then you should understand that the species in question could be endangered and therefore a decision left to your own moral compass.

Jeon (전), jijimi (지짐이), jijim (지짐), bindaetteok (빈대떡) and buchimgae (부침개) are all general terms for Korean-style pan-fried pancakes, which can be made of virtually anything. Pajeon (파전) is a Korean-style pan-fried pancake laden with spring onions (파 pa). Haemul pajeon (해물파전), which has seafood added, is particularly popular. Saengseonjeon (생선전) is made of small fillets of fish covered with egg and flour and then pan fried, and nokdu bindaetteok (녹두빈대떡) is made from ground mung bean and various vegetables and meat combined.

If barbecued meat is not to your taste, then try Korean-style beef tartar, known as yukhoe (육회). Raw beef is finely shredded and then some sesame oil, sesame, pine nuts and egg yolk are added, plus soy and sometimes gochujang to taste. It's also occasionally prepared with raw tuna or even chicken instead.

Sundae (순대, pron. "soon-deh") are Korean blood sausages made from a wide variety of ingredients, often including barley, potato noodles and pig blood. Sundae is very tasty in spicy sauce or soup.

A squirmy delicacy is raw octopus (산낙지 sannakji) — it's sliced to order, but keeps wiggling for another half hour as you try to remove its suction cups from your plate with your chopsticks. Sea squirts (멍게 meongge) are at least usually killed before eating, but you might be hard-pressed to tell the difference as the taste has been memorably described as "rubber dipped in ammonia".

Vegetarians will have a hard time in Korea. As in most of East Asia, "meat" is understood to be the flesh of land animals, so seafood is not considered meat. Spam can also be confused as not being meat, so be specific in explaining what you do not eat. If you ask for "no gogi (고기)" they will probably just cook as usual and pick out the big chunks of meat. One good phrase is to say you are "chaesikjuwija" (채식주의자), a person who only eats vegetables. This may prompt questions from the server, so be prepared! It is probably best to have a very explicit list of foods you do and do not eat in Korean on a card or piece of paper to show restaurant servers and cooks. (See Korean phrasebook § Eating.) Or look for namul (나물), a variety of Korean-style edible grass and leaves dishes.

Most stews will use fish stock, especially myeolchi (멸치, anchovy). This will be your bane, and outside of reputable vegetarian restaurants, you should ask if you are ordering any stews, hotpots, or casseroles.

Spicy (red) kimchi will almost certainly have seafood, such as salted tiny shrimp, as an ingredient. Since it disappears into the brine, you will not be able to visually identify it. It is possible to find vegan spicy kimchi, as it is made by some Buddhist temples, but you will have to spend some effort to find some. Another type of kimchi called mulgimchi (물김치, "water kimchi") is vegan, as it is simply salted in a clear, white broth with many different vegetables. If you are willing to eat something flavored with brine shrimp, then kimchi will certainly take you a long way in Korea.

For lactose intolerant people, avoiding dairy products is straightforward as they are uncommon in traditional Korean cuisine.

As per Korea's Buddhist tradition, vegans and vegetarians are safe at Korean temple cuisine (사찰음식 sachal eumsik) restaurants, which uses no dairy, egg, or animal products, except perhaps honey. This cuisine has been in vogue, but it is considered to be a form of fine dining and tends to be rather expensive. Temple stays usually include vegetarian meals as part of the package.

There is an increasing number of vegetarian restaurants in Korea — most are in the larger or medium-sized places. Some of these are run by Seventh-Day Adventists or Hindus.

When out and about, the following vegetarian and vegan food is relatively easy to find and safe to order:

• Many of the banchan side dishes served with most meals are vegetarian, although the kimchi usually is not.
• Bibimbap (비빔밥) is a great vegan option of mixed rice and vegetables and found pretty much everywhere! Still, be careful because it is occasionally offered with ground beef, and often with a fried egg.
• Somandu (소만두) are Korean dumplings with vegetable and glass noodle filling. Stay clear of almost any other kind of dumpling.
• Japchae (잡채) are cold glass noodles in a vegetable broth, often with ice, but ensure that beef chunks are not added. Delicious in summer.
• Gimbap (김밥) are Korean sushi rolls with rice and pickled vegetables, and can be found everywhere. There are many varieties, but you should look for the ones without Spam or fishcake in the middle.

Compared to Western drinking habits, Koreans have adopted slightly different ways to enjoy their night out. Sure, you can find Western style bars easily, but going to a Korean style bar can be an interesting experience. Hofs (호프 hopeu, from German Hof, "court" or "yard" as in Hofbräuhaus) are just normal beer places, which serve beer and side dishes. The pojangmacha (포장마차), often shorted to just pocha (포차), is a roadside stall with a tent over it, serving soju along with numerous popular Korean comfort dishes to go with it. Customers are generally expected to order some side dish to go along with their drinks at most drinking establishments in Korea. Due to growing competition, many hofs have started to install various gadgets for entertainment.

Booking clubs are the Korean version of night clubs. What makes them interesting is the "booking" part of the name. It's basically a way to meet new people of the opposite sex by introduction of the waiters (who usually bring women to visit tables of men, but increasingly vice-versa). Booking clubs are slightly more expensive than normal bars and hofs, but can be extremely fun. These can be different from American-style clubs, in that in addition to a cover charge, you are pretty much expected to order booze and side dishes (which can be quite pricey in ₩200,000-₩500,000 range and up). But other than that, the dancing and atmosphere is about the same.

One of the customary things to do at a booking club is to "dress-up" your table or booth by purchasing expensive liquors and fruit plates, which signals your "status" to the other patrons of the club (especially your gender of interest). Scotch whisky is especially marked up a great deal in Korea, so don't be surprised to pay very high prices for that innocuous bottle of Johnnie Walker. On the other hand, it is a better value overall to buy a bottle of liquor or a "liquor set" than to purchase drinks individually.

On the other end of the spectrum, many locals go out to drink and eat with their friends at the many Korean grillhouses found throughout the city. It is not uncommon for people to consume several bottles of soju each, and mixing beer and hard liquor is encouraged. Group bonding over liquor and food is a cultural feature across South Korea.

For those who love singing as well as drinking, karaoke is popular and therefore widely available in South Korea, where it's called noraebang (노래방). In addition to Korean songs, larger establishments may include some Chinese, Japanese and English songs.

There are a few etiquette rules to observe when drinking with Koreans. You're not supposed to fill your own glass; instead, keep an eye on others' glasses, fill them up when they become empty (but not before), and they'll return the favor. It's considered polite to use both hands when pouring for somebody and when receiving a drink, and to turn your head away from seniors when drinking.

Younger people often have a difficult time refusing a drink from an older person, so be aware when asking someone younger than you if they want to drink more as they will often feel unable to say no to you. Of course, this works both ways. Oftentimes, if an older person feels you are not keeping up with the party, he may offer you his glass, which he will then fill and expect you to drink. It is considered polite to promptly return the empty glass and refill it.

The national drink of South Korea is soju (소주), a vodka-like alcoholic beverage (usually around 20% alcohol by volume). It's cheaper than any other drink — a 350 mL bottle can cost slightly over ₩3,000 at bars (as little as ₩1,100 at convenience stores!) — and also strong. It's usually made by fermenting starch from rice, barley, corn, potato, sweet potato, etc., to produce pure alcohol which is then diluted with water and other flavors. The manufacturing process leaves in a lot of extraneous chemicals, so be prepared for a four-alarm hangover in the morning, even after drinking a comparatively small amount.

Traditionally, soju was made by distilling rice wine and aging it, which created a smooth spirit of about 40%. This type of traditional soju can still be found, for example Andong Soju (안동 소주) — named after the town of Andong — and munbaeju (문배주). These can be expensive, but prices (and quality) vary considerably.

Historically, there were numerous brewers throughout the country until late Chosun dynasty and before Japanese colonization. However, by the Japanese colonization and the oppressive and economy-obsessed government in the 1960-'70s, using rice for making wine or spirits was strictly prohibited. This eliminated most of the traditional brewers in the country, and Korea was left with a few large distilleries (Jinro 진로, Gyeongwol 경월, Bohae 보해, Bobae 보배, Sunyang 선양, etc.) that basically made "chemical soju". Brewery distribution and markets were regionalized, and until the 1990s it was difficult to find a Jinro soju anywhere else than Seoul (you would have to pay premium even if you found one), Gyeongwol soju outside Gangwon, or Sunyang outside Chungcheong.

Also, there are soju cocktails such as "socol" (soju + Coke), ppyong-gari (soju + Pocari Sweat, a Japanese isotonic drink like flavorless Gatorade), so-maek (soju + beer), etc., all aimed at getting you drunk quicker and cheaper.

Traditional unfiltered rice wines in Korea are known as takju (탁주), literally "cloudy alcohol". In the most basic and traditional form, these are made by fermenting rice with nuruk (누룩), a mix of fungi and yeast that breaks down starch in rice into sugar and then alcohol over 3–5 days. Then this is strained, usually diluted to 4–6% and imbibed. However, as with the case of traditional soju, unless explicitly stated on the bottle most takju are made from wheat flour and other cheaper grains. Makgeolli (막걸리) is the simplest takju, fermented once and then strained, while in dongdongju (동동주) more rice is added once or more during the fermentation to boost the alcohol content and the flavor. Typically you can find a couple of rice grains floating in dongdongju as a result.

Yakju (약주) or cheongju (청주) is filtered rice wine, similar to the Japanese rice wine sake. The fermentation of rice is sustained for about 2 weeks or longer, strained, and then is kept still to have the suspended particles settle out. The end result is the clear wine on top, with about 12–15% alcohol. Various recipes exist, which involve a variety of ingredients and when and how to add them accordingly. Popular brands include Baekseju (백세주) and Dugyeonju (두견주).

Those with an interest in the wine production process and its history will want to visit the Traditional Korean Wine Museum in Jeonju.

One expensive but tasty type of alcohol you can find in Korea is Korean ginseng wine (인삼주 insamju), which is believed to have medicinal properties and is particularly popular among the elderly. It is made by fermenting Korean ginseng, just as the name implies.

Western-style lagers are also quite popular in Korea, with the three big brands being Cass, Hite (pronounced like "height") and Terra, all of which are rather light and watery and cost around ₩1,500 per bottle at a supermarket. Hofs serve pints of beer in the ₩2,000-5,000 range, although imported beers can be much more expensive. You are expected to order food as well, and may even get served grilled squid or similar Korean pub grub without ordering, for a charge of ₩10,000 or so.

Like their Asian neighbors, Koreans drink a lot of tea (차 cha), most of it green tea (녹차 nokcha). However, the label cha is applied to a number of other tealike drinks as well:

• boricha (보리차), roasted barley tea, often served cold in summer, water substitute for many household
• insamcha (인삼차), ginseng tea
• oksusucha (옥수수차), roasted corn tea
• yujacha (유자차), yuzu jam with hot water, sweet and fragrant
• yulmucha (율무차), a thick white drink made from a barley-like plant called Job's tears

Like Chinese and Japanese teas, Korean teas are always drunk neat, without the addition of milk or sugar. However, Western-style milk tea is available at Western restaurants and the usual American fast-food chains.

Coffee (커피 keopi) is an obsession in South Korea and widely available.

Coffee shops can be seen virtually everywhere in the country. There are a large number of chains such as Cafe Bene and Angel in Us as well as Starbucks, where a cup of milk-based coffee costs around ₩5,000. Do note that you are mostly paying for the cafe atmosphere rather than the quality of the coffee. It is worth to hunt out smaller independent coffee shops that take great pride in their coffee and charge a more reasonable price. Even in small countryside towns, the ubiquitous bread shops Tous le Jours and Paris Baguette will give you a decent latte for around ₩2,000. Aside from coffee, these cafes will usually sell food such as sandwiches, toasties, paninis and quesadillas as well as sweet options such as bingsu (Korean shaved ice), Korean-style toast, pastries and a wide variety of cakes, some even vegan. They tend to have much longer opening hours than their western counterparts and can be found open late into the night. 24-hour establishments can be found in the larger cities.

Younger South Koreans, in particular, drink a lot of iced Americano ('아이스 아메리카노' or commonly just '아아'/'Ah-Ah'), even during the coldest winter days! It's usually two shots of espresso with water and ice.

Streetside vending machines that will pour you a cupful of instant coffee mix for as little as ₩300, usually sweet and milky, but there is often a plain option. 24-hour self-service cafes (with no staff) with regular coffees and lattes are becoming common as well.

Some other traditional drinks worth keeping an eye out for:

• Sikhye (식혜), a very sweet, grainy rice drink served cold
• Sujeonggwa (수정과), a sweet, cinnamon-y drink made from persimmons served cold

It is worth keeping in mind that in South Korea, soft drinks are called "ades", as in lemonade.

Some of the cheapest accommodation in South Korea are in what are called motels (모텔 motel) or yeogwan (여관), but a more accurate name would be sex hotels. Since Koreans often live with parents and extended family, motels are generally very cheap hotels targeted at young couples aiming to spend personal time together, complete with plastic beds, occasionally vibrating, with strategically placed mirrors on the ceiling, as well as a VCR and a variety of appropriate videos. However, for the budget traveller, they can simply be inexpensive lodging, with rates as low as ₩25,000/night.

The easiest way to find a motel is to just look for the symbol "♨" and gaudy architecture, particularly near stations or highway exits. They're harder to find online, as they rarely if ever show up in English-language booking sites.

In some motels picking your room is very easy, as there will be room numbers, lit pictures and prices on the wall. The lower price is for a "rest" (휴식 hyusik) of 2–4 hours, while the higher price is the overnight rate. Press the button for the one you like, which will go dark, and proceed to check-in. You'll usually be expected to pay in advance, often to just a pair of hands behind a frosted glass window. English is rarely spoken, but the only word you need to know is sukbak (숙박, "staying"). You may or may not receive a key, but even if you don't, the staff can usually let you in and out on request — just don't lose your receipt!

Full-service hotels can be found in all larger towns in Korea. Cheaper hotels blend into motels with rooms from ₩40,000, while three and four-star hotels are ₩100,000-200,000, and five-star luxury hotels can easily top ₩300,000. Outside peak season you can often get steep discounts from the rack rates, so be sure to ask when reserving.

Hanok (한옥) are traditional Korean houses. Once considered to be old-fashioned and an impediment to modernization, many of these houses dating back to the Joseon dynasty are being renovated and opened to paying guests, operating similar to B&Bs or Japanese ryokan or minshuku. Amenities range from very basic backpacker-style to over-the-top luxury, with prices to match. Higher-end establishments typically provide the option of having a traditional Korean dinner, as well as a choice of either Western or traditional Korean-style breakfast. Guests would usually sleep on mattresses on the floor. Hanok accommodation can typically be found in old towns such as Bukchon in Seoul, as well as historical towns and cities such as Hahoe and Gyeongju.

While not as common in South Korea as in other parts of Asia or the world, hostels and guesthouses can be found. Major cities, such as Seoul, will have a few dozen, while smaller cities may have a handful. Prices can vary widely, even within one hostel. In Seoul, mixed dorms average ₩15,000-25,000 per person; private rooms with a shared toilet and shower average ₩20,000-30,000 per person; and private ensuite rooms average ₩25,000-40,000 per person. Many hostels will have a common room with free TV, games, computers, and internet; some will have a public full kitchen and other amenities.

In rural areas in and near national parks, you can find a minbak (민박). Most of these are just a room or two in someone's home — others are quite fancy and may be similar to motels/yeogwan or hotels. Generally, they have ondol rooms with maybe a TV and that's about it. You don't usually get your own bathroom in your room, although some of the fancier ones do have an en suite. Minbak usually run around ₩20,000 off-season, though the price may go up quite a bit during high season.

Very similar in concept to a minbak, these aren't limited to just rural areas or near national parks. Since the World Cup in 2002, many families around the country have opened their doors and hearts to foreigners looking for a great place to sleep and a breakfast included in the price. These can run between ₩30,000 and ₩35,000 per night.

A fancier and costly version of rural minbak. Most of them are European-style detached bungalows, equipped with private shower/bath, TV, air conditioner, private kitchen and camping grills. Pensions usually run around ₩60,000-150,000 off-season and over ₩200,000 peak season depending on the size of the house. Pensions near Seoul (Gyeonggi, Incheon) usually costs twice or more the price.

For the budget traveller, public bath houses known as jjimjilbang (찜질방) can offer a great way to sleep, besides a relaxing bath and sauna. (Some Korean spas don't offer overnight stay, like the "Spa Land Centum City" in Busan, and some can be limited in time, like the "Dragon Hill Spa" in Seoul, but they are exceptions.) Entrance costs around ₩5,000-12,000, and includes a robe or T-shirts/shorts (for mixed facilities and sleeping hall) to wear. However, when you leave, you have to take everything with you and pay to get back in.

The facilities can be expansive, including showers, public baths, restaurants, computer/video game rooms, a room with DVD movies, and a warm hall to sleep, mostly with mattresses and sometimes soft head rests available. These places are generally used by families or couples during the weekend, as well as Korean working men from the countryside on weekday evenings, but travellers are welcome. A jjimjilbang is no more awkward than any Western public bath — so go ahead.

Usually two lockers are provided, one for the shoes (at the entrance) and one for your clothes and everything else (near the bath entrance). A very large backpack may not fit, although you can usually leave it at reception.

South Korea offers many temple stays in all parts of the country. The basic idea is that you stay for one or more days living with the monks and participating in some of their rituals.

Jogye (조계사), Korea's largest Buddhist sect, runs a popular temple stay program where visitors get to spend 24 hours living at a Buddhist temple. Speaking Korean helps but is not necessary at some temples, but you will be expected to work at the temple and get up at 03:00 or 04:00 to participate in morning prayer with the monks, and all food served will be vegetarian. In exchange for two to three meals and a basic bed for the night, a donation of ₩50,000-80,000 is expected. Reservations are necessary and can be made at the Temple Stay site or via Korea Travel Phone (+82-2-1330).

• Taekwondo^{[dead link]} (태권도 taegwondo, literally "the way of kicking and punching") — The quintessential Korean martial art that is also an Olympic sport, and you can study at any of the numerous schools all over the country.
• Cooking — Most major cities will offer Korean cooking classes to foreigners. Some temple stays may also include vegetarian cooking classes with the monks or nuns.
  • Kimchi — Many tourist packages nowadays include learning how to make a Korean staple dish kimchi.
• Changgeuk (창극) or pansori (판소리) — If you like music, this will be good for you. It's a unique traditional Korean form of singing. If you want to learn about pansori through film, Seopyeonje (서편제) (1993) would be an excellent choice.
• Korean language — Seoul National University, Korea University, Sogang University, and Yonsei University (in Seoul) provide Korean language programs. You can meet people from all over the world while studying Korean.
• Korean traditional dance — You can go to a dance studio and learn Korean traditional dance. You will wear hanbok, Korean traditional clothes.
• Baduk (바둑) — Korean name for the ancient Chinese board game called Go in English and Japanese. Many Koreans play the game, and among them are some of the world's finest players. There are professional tournaments and even schools that specialize in baduk.
• Janggi (장기) — Also known as Korean chess, a board game similar to Chinese chess, with which it shares its origins, though the rules of the two games have diverged significantly.

Work as an English teacher is the most common type of work available to foreigners from English speaking countries, with the requirements of being able to speak English and a minimum level of education being a bachelor's degree. Schools prefer native English speakers and many prefer North American accents. In most instances, native English speakers from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, and the United Kingdom are the only applicants that are usually considered.

The main employer of native English speaking teachers are private academies called hagwon (학원). Many parents enroll their children in order to catch up or overtake their peers, and therefore scheduled classes are often in the evenings and Saturdays. People interested in these teaching positions often find them via professional recruiters. There are pros and cons to teaching ESL in the hagwon system. On the plus side the money can be quite good. As of 2016, the average monthly salary is approximately ₩2,000,000 and basic housing is usually provided. It's often possible to live comfortably on half of one's salary and to save the rest.

On the negative side, hagwon are privately run and strictly for profit, and may only operate for a few years. As such it is important to research and evaluate each prospective employer before accepting an offer, since there are plenty of horror stories of unscrupulous academy owners and incompetent directors. Although you will have full employment rights in South Korea, there is practically very little you can do when an issue or dispute arises. The majority of English teachers have a good experience through the hagwon system.

University employment is also possible. Those who have a graduate-level degree, preferably in TESOL (Teaching English as a Second or Other Language), may find professional opportunities at the post secondary level preferable to teaching in private academies.

Some of the best positions are in the public sector, although in Seoul and Busan, schools have been phasing out foreign English teachers and replacing them with English-speaking South Koreans. Still, year-long public school positions are available through the government-funded EPIK Program in most provinces and the rapidly contracting GEPIK Program in Gyeonggi, with a few also handled by recruiter companies. Alternately, the TALK Program runs 6-month rural public school positions for non-graduates.

For more information about teaching English in Korea through the private-sector, visit Eslcafe, Worknplay^{[dead link]}, Eslstarter and Englishspectrum^{[dead link]}. For the public-sector, see the aforementioned EPIK program.

Daejeon full-time public elementary school positions stand apart from most in the country in that they consist of multiple part-time support positions at different schools. Most public school and university positions start at the beginning of March or September, however these are the more desirable jobs and must be applied for months before the start date.

South Korean Immigration is constantly changing the visa regulations for E-2 visa holders, so keep abreast of updates.

South Korea is often promoted as the world's most wired country, and as such has a massive IT infrastructure. There is plenty of IT work if you can speak Korean, although local rates are much lower than in western countries.

South Korea has a lot of opportunities for engineers, and often doesn't have a requirement for Korean language. Port cities such as Busan, Ulsan and Geoje have a demand for marine engineers.

South Korea is a very safe country, with reported crime rates much lower than in the U.S. and most European Union countries. Crime rates are comparable to other safe places such as Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong, and it is generally safe for women to walk around the streets alone at night. Violent crime is rare toward locals and tourists alike. For the most part, the only foreigners who encounter trouble in South Korea are drunken ones that provoke fights at bars or clubs.

If you do happen to encounter any trouble, police stations are located in every district, usually in walking distance from subway entrances and bus stops. While most police officers won't understand English, they do have interpreters on-call that can assist you.

Especially in Korea, there is a ritual of not touching other people's things, so if you go to a cafe or on the street, you may see people leaving their expensive laptops and cell phone bags on the seats to use the restroom.

Be careful when picking up lost items dropped on the street, since the legal system here can regard that as theft in itself.

South Korea is one of the most ethnically homogeneous countries in the world, and for many South Koreans, this is a point of pride. Racism in South Korea is systemic and gets featured in the news from time to time. There is no anti-discrimination legislation whatsoever, and non-Koreans and half-Koreans are often subjected to abuse and discrimination. A few businesses, typically bars, nightclubs and saunas, have been known to ban foreigners (although in areas where American soldiers are based, this is often just to avoid the possibility of fights). Negativity aside, South Korea is gradually changing.

In South Korea, lighter skin has historically been associated with beauty, purity, and higher social status. This is precisely the reason why fair-skinned people will receive better treatment — for instance, easy access to employment and teaching opportunities from Koreans, whereas darker skinned people may be treated with a degree of derision and suspicion.

Most visitors to South Korea are extremely unlikely to encounter any problems at all. If you do experience racial abuse then you can call on the police to help, although realistically if no other offense has been committed then they will at most just try and reason with the abuser.

People from North Korea also experience discrimination in society, partly out of suspicion (North Korea has sent assassins and spies disguised as refugees) and partly out of the difficulty to integrate themselves into a vastly different society. Ethnic Koreans from China are also often regarded poorly due to being associated with ‘low economic status and crime’. People from Southeast Asia and South Asia are also discriminated against and are regarded as being ‘poor workers’

South Asians may be refused entry at restaurants and other establishments.

If you feel strongly about having been racially discriminated against, then you can register a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea. This is an official government agency, although with limited enforcement powers.

With one of the highest rates of traffic deaths, South Korean motorists will speed through pedestrian crossings, jump red lights and come within a hair-width distance to pedestrians and other cars alike. Even when the light turns red, drivers will not stop. Motorcyclists are particularly reckless weaving in and out on crowded sidewalks. It is up to you to avoid them.

There is a lot of discussion about the reason for this, although it basically comes down to Koreans regarding traffic laws as guidelines that are nice ideas rather than rules to be obeyed.

Pedestrian crosswalks stay green for a very short period of time. When the walk signal is flashing and you are still at the curb, do not cross. Instead, you should wait and be ready for the light to turn green. The moment it turns green, wait for about 3 to 5 seconds and see if other pedestrians start to cross, and if all the traffic has indeed stopped, then walk briskly to cross safely. It is safer to take underground passageways at busy intersections. Most mopeds prefer to weave through pedestrians rather than wait with the rest of the traffic.

There are plenty of marked pedestrian crossings in Korea, and they are essentially ignored by all drivers. As a foreigner you can use them by stepping onto the crossing and directly staring down any approaching cars and they will usually yield. It is important for you to stay alert while crossing the roads. Taxis, buses, freight trucks, and delivery scooters are more likely to ignore traffic rules, since many of them are pressured to ignore rules by harsh timetables or their customers.

Illegal taxis are a problem and run even from the airport. Each Korean city has a different taxi scheme with a specific car color, so check out your destination city's taxi scheme before you arrive. At the airport, ignore anyone asking if you want a taxi at arrivals and head out to the official taxi rank.

In the heart of the political center of Seoul, near Gwanghwamun and City Hall, you may witness political activists of one sort or another in the city center and demonstrations can grow to tens of thousands. You'll have to use discretion as violence during political demonstrations can happen, often with water cannons and tear gas, and also large crowds may pose safety issues. Fighting is always between the demonstrators and police, and foreigners are not targeted. Also, South Korean legislation prohibits non-South Koreans from engaging in political activities.

South Korea has a draconian National Security Act (국가보안법, Gukga Boanbeop) that restricts any unauthorized contact with North Korea and its citizens. North Korean slogans, symbols, stamps, propaganda, websites, and literature are strictly prohibited in the country. Foreigners are not exempted from this law — a Chinese student who expressed pro-North Korean views on the Internet was prosecuted and deported from South Korea in 2014.

Gambling is illegal for South Korean citizens, although a limited number of casinos are available for foreigners only in Seoul, Busan and Jeju island. You will need to bring your passport to enter these establishments.

The Asian giant hornet (장수말벌, jangsu malbeol) or "commander bee" is usually seen around summer time; it is about 40 mm (1.6 in) long and can sting repeatedly and painfully. A hornet defending its nest or feeding spot will make a clicking sound to warn away intruders; if you encounter one, retreat. If you are stung, receive prompt medical attention, as prolonged exposure to the venom could cause permanent injury or even death.

There are very few other animals that can be dangerous in Korea. The Siberian tiger is sadly no longer found on the Korean Peninsula. Large wild boars can sometimes be found in forested areas and can be very dangerous if they attack. If you see a boar with piglets then keep well away since the mother will not hesitate to protect them.

Large sharks including the great white and hammerhead are being sighted more frequently off the coast of South Korea. To date there has never been a recorded attack on swimmers, although a few abalone divers have been killed in the past 20 years. The most popular beaches are closely monitored, and this is unlikely to be a real risk to you.

Stray cats are still common, and it is advisable to avoid them - they can scratch and bite.

South Korea is considerably less prone to natural disasters than its neighbors. Earthquakes are rare occurrences, though minor ones occasionally occur in the southwest of the country. Tsunamis are a recognized hazard in coastal areas, although Japan's strategic position prevents most tsunamis from ever reaching Korea. While typhoons do not occur as often as in Japan, Taiwan or the Philippines, they are nevertheless an almost yearly occurrence, and are occasionally known to be deadly and cause major property damage.

Although same-sex relationships are not recognized by the government, there are no laws against homosexuality in South Korea. Gay clubs and bars exist in the larger cities, though openly displaying your sexual orientation in public is still likely to be met with disapproval. South Korea has a large number of Evangelical Christians who generally strongly disapprove of homosexuality. Nevertheless, verbal and physical attacks against gay people are rare.

Conversely, platonic displays of physical affection between same-sex friends are very common, particularly when alcohol has been consumed, and holding hands with a same-sex romantic partner may be viewed in this light.

	Note: Since 28 May 2024, North Korea has been sending balloons carrying garbage and excrement to South Korea. The balloons are intentionally not intercepted by South Korea for public safety reasons. If you find suspicious balloons, do not dispose them by yourself, and call the police immediately.
	(Information last updated 03 Jun 2024)

An understandable concern about traveling to South Korea is the possibility of war. However, while war has remained a distinct possibility ever since the end of the Korean war over 60 years ago, the North Koreans appear to have become very skilled at saber-rattling and limited provocations that are never allowed to escalate into out-and-out warfare. This is not to say that miscalculations could not spiral out of control, but simply that the odd missile launch, or loudly publicized border closure does not mean war is nigh.

If a full-scale war did break out between the North and South, it would almost certainly result in many casualties, military and civilian alike. If this were to happen when you are visiting Seoul, it would definitely be life-threatening. There was a great deal of brinkmanship following the appointment of Kim Jong-un as North Korea's leader, and open conflict seemed to become more likely. However, no big conflagration has broken out, and it is safe to say that the possibility of all-out war is very low, though it would be reasonable to weigh the risks when planning to visit South Korea.

There isn't really much you can do to mitigate the risk of military action. Find out the contact details of your embassy and be aware of the current situation when traveling. Most embassies will have an evacuation strategy for their nationals in the case of war. Also be aware that Seoul's Incheon International Airport is relatively close to the North Korean border, so therefore it may not be advisable to run there looking for a flight out.

Be extra careful when visiting the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Any attempt or pretence to cross the border line into North Korea may put your life, the lives of your tour group members and the lives of military personnel on both sides at risk.

• Police: 112
• Fire and ambulance services: 119

Emergency-service English interpreters are available 24 hours a day.

South Korea has several English language media sources for daily news and other information, such as the Yonhap News Agency.

Daily newspapers in English include the Hankyoreh, The Korea Times, The Korea Herald and The Chosun Ilbo.

For television, there is an English-language channel called Arirang TV available throughout the world on some cable subscriptions. AFN Korea is available to U.S. military community or via cable.

There are some English-language radio stations in South Korea such as TBS e-FM (101.3 FM) and AFN channel (1530 AM and 102.7 FM in Seoul).

• Much like their neighbours, Koreans place a solid emphasis on "saving face", thus, Koreans are generally indirect communicators. That being said, they tend to be a bit more straightforward and assertive than people in other East Asian countries. A "yes" doesn't mean "yes"; you have to read between the lines to figure out what someone means.
• Gestures and facial expressions are not commonly used when conversing, giving some the impression that Koreans are "stern".
• Personal appearance is very important. Korean women and men generally pay very close attention to their physical appearance. To get the most amount of respect, dress smartly and conservatively and groom yourself well.
• Koreans bow to each other to show their respect when they meet. They may also shake hands. (When shaking hands, particularly with someone older, support your right arm with your left hand.) However, with people you know well, a quick nod of the head and a simple "Annyeonghaseyo" (안녕하세요, "Hello") should suffice.
• It is very important to remove your shoes when entering many places in Korea. You are always expected to take off your shoes in someone's home. It is also required in many good restaurants (especially family-run ones), smaller hospitals, medical clinics and dentists. Leave your shoes by the front door; indoor slippers may be provided.
• It's common for Koreans to ask you personal questions. If you feel a question is too personal, answer indirectly.
• Koreans respect their elders and authority figures. If anyone in a position of authority (policeman, your superiors at work, a teacher) requests you to do something, you are expected to respect them and do it. In public transportation, you are always expected to give up your seat to someone older than you. Remember to compose yourself and behave maturely around those much older than you; elders and authority figures generally don't take kindly to being spoken to or addressed inappropriately.
• When picking something up or taking something from somebody older, always use two hands. If you have to use one hand, you can support your right arm with your left hand.
• South Korean households often have strict rules about recycling: for example, one bin may be for paper only and another in the kitchen may be for food/drink containers. Each district in Korea has its own unique recycling scheme. Garbage bags must be purchased from a supermarket and must be of the type designated for your local community.
• Never pour your drink when dining with Koreans, but always take the initiative to pour for others. When dining with Koreans, the oldest or most senior should always eat first.
• It is common to hear people talking loudly in restaurants as a sign of being happy and enjoying the food.
• Do not be surprised or taken aback if your Korean counterpart subtly denies praise or compliments coming from you. Koreans believe that denying a compliment shows humility and modesty. If you compliment a Korean, expect them to say "anieyo" (아니에요, "No"), "geureon malsseum maseyo" (그런 말씀 마세요, "Please don't say that"), or a variation thereof. Don't say "thank you" to a compliment, as that will come off as arrogant.

Pride in the nation forms one of the key pillars of Korean culture. Saying what you like about the country might get you on someone's good side, while criticism of the country by a foreigner is likely to elicit a hostile response from Koreans.

Koreans are neither Chinese nor Japanese; they are a separate people with a unique culture, and will be deeply offended if you confuse them for anything else.

Avoid talking about North Korea. Relations between the two Koreas are incredibly tense: praising or talking positively about North Korea will engender strong reactions from people. On the other hand, do not criticize North Korea either, as its people are still regarded as fellow Koreans, and you are a foreigner.

There is significant ongoing friction with Japan because of the country's wars with and occupation by Japan, especially with the status of comfort women.

Cultural and historiographical disputes with China can be a sensitive issue, and South Koreans often accuse China of appropriating Korean history and culture, such as cuisine and clothes. This is further complicated by the fact that China today has territory that was part of historical Korean kingdoms, and a large ethnic Korean minority. Protests about these are generally less vocal than contemporary issues with Japan however.

Business cards (명함 myeongham) in particular are treated very respectfully and formally. How you treat someone's business card is seen as representing how you will treat the person. Make sure to pack more than you'll need, as not having a business card to present is a serious faux pas. There's a lot of nuanced etiquette, but here are some basics:

• When presenting a business card, orient it so it's readable by the person you're giving it to, and use both hands to present or receive one. Juniors give their cards to seniors first; people of equal rank can exchange simultaneously using your right hand to give yours and left hand to receive theirs. Take the time to read the card and confirm their name and job title. (Korean business cards are often bilingual, sometimes on opposite sides of the card.)
• You can ask permission to write notes on the back of a card if you need to. It's disrespectful to fold a card or place it in your back pocket (where you'll sit on it!). Instead, you should arrange cards on the table (in order of seniority) to help you remember who's who. When it's time to leave, then you can pack the cards in a nice case to keep them pristine; if you don't have one, hold on to them until you're out of sight before pocketing them.

Given the long history of unwanted intervention in Korea by foreign nations, Koreans are understandably rather sensitive about political discussions. You should avoid discussing the following topics since they are never going to achieve anything but getting you onto someone's bad side:

• Japan's annexation and brutal colonization of Korea until 1945. In particular, do not display the Rising Sun Flag, such as on your t-shirt or badge on your backpack; this would be the equivalent of displaying the Nazi flag in the West.
• Japan's perceived lack of sufficient recognition and apology over the sexual enslavement of Korean "comfort women" during World War II
• Japan's recurring territorial claims over the South Korean island of Dokdo
• The Korean war and anything to do with North Korea
• Bad behavior of individual members of the United States military stationed in South Korea
• Any deference of the South Korean military towards the United States military
• Any international sporting controversies where South Korean athletes are involved
• Do not refer to the sea east of South Korea as the "Sea of Japan" (even though this is by far the most accepted name internationally). Always refer to it as the "East Sea" (동해 Donghae).
• Domestic politics — as elsewhere in the world presently, Korean politics is bitterly divided between left and right. Many of the ideological issues are however quite different from those you may be familiar with in your home country, and Koreans generally do not take kindly to foreigners commenting about their domestic politics, even if your views happen to align with theirs.

Should your hosts bring any such topics up, it is best to just listen and avoid any debates.

Religion in South Korea has changed a great deal over time, with today's main religions of Buddhism and Christianity both having been oppressed over the past centuries. Today just under half of Koreans state that they have no religious affiliation. There are practically no tensions at all between the different groups, with religion being usually regarded as a personal choice.

Buddhism was historically the main religion in Korea (albeit often suppressed in favor of Confucianism), and Buddhist temples are major tourist attractions throughout the country. As in India, China, and other countries there are Buddhist swastikas representing good luck on display at religious buildings. You will notice they are actually drawn in reverse to the one used in Nazi Germany, and they in no way represent antisemitism. When visiting Buddhist temples you should be respectful by not making too much noise, eating or drinking.

South Korea has a high proportion of Christians (18% of the population are Protestant and 11% are Roman Catholic) and dozens of churches can be found in absolutely every major city. Protestants in South Korea tend to be strongly conservative and frequently highly evangelical, sending a large number of missionaries abroad (rivaling the United States in this regard). Catholics often combine elements of Buddhism, Confucianism and Korean shamanism into their faith. South Korea is also home to a myriad of new religions based on Christianity (such as the Unification Church), which may be deemed as controversial sects or cults or as apostasy or a heresy by others. It is common for both strangers and acquaintances to ask you to come to their church, although offense will not usually be taken if you decline.

Korean Shamanism, also known as Muism, is the indigenous religion of the Korean people since ancient times. Although it is professed by less than 1% of South Koreans today, its practices and beliefs are known to most and to some extent still practiced by many people, having been incorporated into both Christian and Buddhist rituals.

Confucianism was often promoted as the state ideology during Korea's history, and although it is not as strictly adhered to as in the past, the majority of Koreans will be familiar with its teachings and practices, and even today government officials are still required to sit Confucian examinations.

While smoking in South Korea is not quite as popular as in Japan or China, many Korean men and an increasing number of South Korean women smoke, and it's fairly cheap compared to much of Europe and America. A pack of twenty costs around ₩5,000 and cigarettes can be bought from all convenience stores. Koreans favor mild cigarettes (around 6 mg tar) so Korean-made cigarettes may taste bland and flavorless compared to those from America or Europe, and even the South Korean-produced Western cigarettes are much lighter than the originals (e.g., full-strength Marlboro Reds in South Korea have only 8 mg tar, the same as Marlboro Lights in the U.S.). If you prefer stronger cigarettes, it's wise to bring some duty-free cigarettes with you.

Smoking is forbidden in public buildings, public transport and restaurants. Various establishments will tacitly allow smoking despite the ban, although they will never explicitly tell you that you can smoke, for fear of legal repercussions. Smoking in public is also banned, but this is largely unenforced and designated smoking areas are sparse.

Dedicated smoking rooms can be found around transport hubs and other large buildings.

Female smokers may give a negative impression to some Koreans, as smoking is not considered feminine here.

For calls to South Korea, the country code is +82. International dialing prefixes in South Korea vary by operator.

South Korea is the world's most wired country and Internet cafes, known as PC bang (PC방), are ubiquitous through the country. PC shops are becoming more than just a place to go online and play games, they're becoming a place to eat. In fact, you'll be hard-pressed to find a food item you don't want to order, whether it's ramen, snacks, or burgers, as well as rice bowls, grilled pork belly, tonkatsu, or tteokbokki. You usually top up your card with a voucher for a PC through an unmanned terminal, and for food, you order through a message installed on your computer. Nowadays, you can also use Kakao Pay to pay with a QR code.

In addition, smoking is not allowed in PCCs, and you can only smoke in designated smoking rooms.

There is also a lot of free Wi-Fi available throughout South Korea.

Most households in South Korea do have broadband connections with Wi-Fi, and most are encrypted by default.

ollehWiFi is one of the most common Wi-Fi hotspots available and requires payment. The service is fast (30Mbit/s+) and prices are cheap at ₩1,100/hour or ₩3,300/day. You can buy the service on your device by credit card, or by cash or card in most convenience stores. ollehWiFi is available at most convenient stores, coffee shops, some marts, restaurants, intercity buses, and on all subways and subway stations in the Seoul Metropolitan Area.

The Starbucks Coffee chain also offers Wi-Fi, however you will require a South Korean phone number to use it. Many other coffee shops offer free Wi-Fi with no registration required. ollehWiFi should also be available in all Starbucks stores.

South Korean websites frequently require Windows and Microsoft Internet Explorer, especially those involving online payment. As elsewhere in Asia, a lot of services are becoming available primarily for mobile phones, with Kakao Talk being the most popular.

Especially in South Korea, free public Wi-Fi is available everywhere, thanks to wireless routers installed on public transportation. However, it's best to avoid doing security-critical work on public transportation or public Wi-Fi in public facilities.

Korea Post is fast, reliable and reasonably priced. Postage for a postcard anywhere in the world is ₩660, while letters and packages start from ₩480. If you want actual traditional stamps, be sure to ask for them, or else you will just get a printed label. On request, fancy "tourist" cancellations (Gwangwang Tongsin Ilbuin) for your stamps are available at selected post offices without additional charge. Korea Post accepts Visa and MasterCard for purchases over ₩1,000.

From October 01, 2014, it was changed from an old address unique to a "Road or Street Name"(Road Addresses) address. "Postal Code Finder by Korea Goverment Finder Site" , Most post offices are open only M-F 09:00-18:00.

Larger post offices also open Saturday mornings, and central offices in the main cities stay open late and are open on Sundays as well.