A capitalist democratic country in East Asia more well known for its technology industry than tourism. Usage of [tag:south-korea] is intended for South Korea; for questions specifically about its northern neighbour, use [tag:north-korea].
14
votes
2answers
212 views
Is there a museum in South Korea about defectors and refugees who escaped North Korea?
I was just watching a History Channel documentary on YouTube called "Kingjongilia" about people who have managed to escape North Korea.
Having visited South Korea a bunch of times now, I realize I ...
13
votes
2answers
3k views
Travelling between Japan and South Korea
We are going to Japan for 3 weeks in the beginning of April and would like to spend a couple of days in Seoul. How do we get there? And how expensive is the ferry from southern japan to Busan in South ...
13
votes
2answers
358 views
How to find a sauna/bathhouse in Korea that allows customers with tattoos?
Apparently here in Korea there is a similar common rule to in Japan forbidding people with tattoos from using public bath houses.
I was telling a couple of traveller friends in my hostel here about ...
11
votes
1answer
173 views
Gift giving in Korea: Do I have to wrap snacks?
I just arrived on Seoul and brought some packets of dried mangoes for my hosts. I forgot to wrap them however. I've read that Koreans are particular about their gifts being wrapped but these gifts ...
11
votes
1answer
365 views
Cell phones in South Korea
What is the best way to get smart phone access when travelling a few days in South Korea? I am mostly interested in getting cheap data access (google maps...).
10
votes
1answer
198 views
Do any of the ferries between Korea and Japan charge per car and not per person in a car?
I've travelled on ferries between Korea and Japan probably more than anyone else using our site so far, but there's one thing I never thought about until now:
Do any of the ferries commonly take ...
8
votes
2answers
142 views
Are there some places I can stay for free in South Korea besides couch surfing?
I'm thinking of going home to Australia from Europe/Turkey via Korea because... well Korea is awesome and it's on the way home (-:
But I'm almost out of money. Then again I was just talking to ...
8
votes
1answer
93 views
Are there tours available from Seoul to the Korean Demilitarized Zone?
I am planning to visit the Korean Demilitarized Zone while staying in Seoul and would like to get tour options. Anyone has done this?
Prices, schedule and tips are most welcome.
8
votes
3answers
198 views
Is it possible to go from South Korea to Hong Kong by sea?
More specifically from Busan (but other sites also possible).
My plan is to do Japan - South Korea - Hong Kong by sea.
7
votes
2answers
236 views
Which is the cheapest ferry to Jeju in South Korea?
A few months ago I dug up lots of information on getting to Jeju in South Korea, but I didn't find the prices.
Most of the websites are only in Korean so I'm throwing this one open to all our expert ...
7
votes
2answers
724 views
Which ATM/debit card to use in Seoul?
I'll be going to Seoul on Saturday. Unfortunately I don't have any international money cards. I do have two cards, an E-ON card from Unionbank (VISA Electron) and a BPI Express ATM (has a Cirrus ...
7
votes
1answer
79 views
Universities open to public in South Korea and Japan?
In California and most other states in the USA, at public universities (and sometimes private universities), it is possible for anyone who is not affiliated with the institution to walk into a ...
7
votes
1answer
103 views
Are there any places that serve Korean food in Doi Mai or Mangalia in Romania?
Those who've never been here before might not expect it, but there's something of a Korean presence on the Black Sea Coast within 10km of the Bulgarian border.
The main entity is Daewoo Mangalia ...
7
votes
1answer
158 views
Is there any possibility to ride on a freighter from Romania to South Korea?
In my previous question I pointed out that there is a very large Korean shipyard on the southern Black Sea coast of Romania.
This made me wonder if there might be any chance of hopping about a ...
6
votes
3answers
365 views
What are the cheapest ways to get from East Asia to Australia?
I have a return ticket that gets me from Turkey to Korea to Australia but it cannot be extended beyond the end of May.
I'm thinking of forfeiting or refunding some leg(s) of my ticket but as my ...
6
votes
1answer
267 views
Jeju Island (New Natural Wonder of the World) - How to Get There?
Jeju Island has just been provisionally named as one of the new 7 Natural Wonders of the World.
But how does one get there? It's pretty far from the mainland. I assume there are planes, but is it ...
6
votes
1answer
3k views
Is it safe to drink tap water in Seoul?
I've been hearing conflicting views. The government assures everyone that it's okay but the locals don't seem to trust the government, at least in this issue. Does anybody know any conclusive ...
6
votes
1answer
89 views
Is it possible for a traveller to study the Jeju language in Korea?
Korea's large southern island province has its own language or dialect which is not mutually comprehensible with standard Korean.
As a traveller who likes to learn languages as part of my travel I've ...
6
votes
1answer
817 views
Using an iPhone 4S in South Korea
My brother will soon be traveling to South Korea for work an he has an unlocked iPhone 4S from Sprint. According to the Apple website, the 4S will work on one of the regional carriers so what he was ...
6
votes
1answer
2k views
Where to buy a second-hand smartphone in Seoul?
I'm currently travelling in South Korea, home of major smartphone companies such as Samsung. It's a country in a technology boom where everybody wants to have the latest gadgets.
That implies they no ...
5
votes
3answers
232 views
Does knowing Japanese help in neighbouring countries?
I know a bit of Japanese, but don't know any other Asian languages.
Does knowing Japanese help in neighbouring countries such as South Korea and Taiwan?
Am I likely to encounter people who are ...
5
votes
1answer
67 views
Suwon is on the itinerary while travelling through South Korea. What should I do there and what is Suwon known for?
I need help in deciding what to do in Suwon during my stop there on a trip to South Korea. I've done a little research, however I'm curious if anyone has more experience.
5
votes
2answers
7k views
Do I need to apply for a visa to enter South Korea as a tourist on an Australian passport?
Do I need to apply for a visa to enter South Korea as a tourist for a few days when travelling on an Australian passport? Or will I be able to get one on arrival?
5
votes
2answers
307 views
Approximately how much for housing and food in Seoul, Korea?
I've been trying to fill out an application that requires me to list how much I think I will need for a 1-semester stay (about 3~4 months) in Seoul.
They require two separate fields for "housing" and ...
5
votes
1answer
622 views
Will I be able to enter South Korea as a tourist with a one-way ticket and no ticket home yet?
I've been to South Korea a few times already and always enjoy it but I've always had an onward ticket before.
Now I need to fly home from a trip that's lasted over a year, but I still want to take my ...
4
votes
4answers
133 views
Finding cheap apartment for a month in Japan and South Korea?
In these countries, if I decide on a whim that I would like a regular apartment for one month, what's the best method to find something CHEAP (less than 300USD) no matter where I am?
Craigslist or ...
4
votes
1answer
303 views
Options for flying to Tokyo from Seoul
We are planning on the ferry from Fukuoka to Busan and then fly back to Tokyo from Seoul a week later. What are the options for flying one way from Seoul to Tokyo? We would like to find something ...
4
votes
1answer
164 views
I'm an Indonesian citizen. Do I need a visa for South Korea?
I'm an Indonesian citizen holding an US visa. My itinerary is USA -> China -> South Korea -> China -> USA. All within 2 weeks. Do I need to apply for a South Korean visa?
3
votes
1answer
344 views
Where can I go skydiving in South Korea?
I am heading to Korea in near future for quite a long trip.
As, I am very enthusiastic about skydiving, I was wondering how easy (or hard) to get a tandem jump (aka assisted jump).
After Google, I ...
3
votes
1answer
372 views
Can a used smartphone purchased in South Korea be used in Australia?
I'm thinking about buying a second-hand smartphone before I leave Korea since some major brands are based here and Koreans seem to always want the latest and greatest I'm assuming models one or two ...
3
votes
1answer
248 views
Changing yen to won in Japan vs. Korea
Is it better to change yen to won in Japan or Korea? We are about to move from Japan to Korea and just want to get the best rate.
2
votes
2answers
223 views
Do any of the currency exchanges at Istanbul Atatürk Airport deal in Korean won?
I'm about to fly from Istanbul to Seoul and I have a useful amount of Turkish Lira (TRY) left but I don't have any South Korean Won (KRW) to pay for the metro to my hostel when I get there.
Several ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Do ATMs at Incheon International Aiport in South Korea have high fees or bad exchange rates
At least a couple of times I've arrived from a long flight and headed to the ATM in the airport to get some local currency only to find out that the ATMs in the airport are special and will rip you ...
2
votes
1answer
77 views
Do any of the currency exchanges at Incheon International Airport deal in Turkish lira?
I'm about to fly from Istanbul to Seoul and I have a useful amount of Turkish Lira (TRY) left but I don't have any South Korean Won (KRW) to pay for the metro to my hostel when I get there.
Several ...
2
votes
0answers
543 views
Differences in mentality of Japanese and Korean people [closed]
What is the difference between Japanese and Korean people, from the mentality/behavior perspective? Please list as many differences as you know, or provide link to a good article/discussion, as I ...
0
votes
0answers
51 views
Finding a temporary job while visting Seoul [closed]
I'll be in Seoul for a month this Summer, and would like to work a part-time job while I'm to help offset expenses and also to experience the culture.
I'm not picky about the job-- I'd be happy ...
0
votes
0answers
75 views
Things to do in Seoul [closed]
A friend and I (both Canadians in our young 20s) are going to be visiting a Korean friend of ours in Seoul for 2 weeks at the end of August.
What are the must-do things to do while we're there? My ...
0
votes
0answers
623 views
What's required to avoid being charged with adultery in South Korea? [closed]
A guide to teaching English in South Korea states that adultery is not only illegal for the adulterous spouse, but someone who "knowingly had an affair with the adulterous spouse". I'm aware that far ...
