Korea

BEST HOTELS DEALS

•	Instant confirmation on your reservation
•	All reservations go straight to respective hotel, with no third-party involves.
•	All details of your information are secured by the hotel
•	All special rates and availability are fully maintained by the hotel
•	Changing or cancelling reservation is hassle free

HOT PICKS - PASTRY PARIS

One of the great take-out snacks of Paris, the financier is a rich, moist tea-cake with a chewy outer crust., made with copious amounts of melted brown butter mixed with finely ...

Korea

City info

It's a miracle that South Korea still exists. With China looming to its west and Japan nudging it from the east, it's no wonder the country has played unwilling host to centuries of war games. Poking delicately into the East Sea/Sea of Japan, the little peninsula has proved an irresistibly tasty morsel to its hungry neighbours. But no matter how often they try to swallow it, South Korea, like plasticine, comes out the other end largely intact.
South Koreans attribute their indigestible culture to the binding agents of Confucianism, language and pride. The stunning landscape has also played a big part in creating a cohesive Korean identity. The country is swathed in green, and the Koreans are obsessed with nature, and with mountains in particular. Wherever you travel, you'll see them out in the open air, clad in the latest adventure fashions, pushing ever onward and upward.

Country Fact

Korea, South Map

Country Fact*:

Full country name: Republic of Korea
Area: 98,480 sq km
Population: 48,598,175
Capital city: Seoul (pop 10.6 million)
People: Koreans, expats (mostly American)
Language: Korean, English
Religion: no affiliation 46%, Christian 26%, Buddhist 26%, Confucianist 1%, other 1%
Government: Republic
Business Hours : Government offices are open between 9am and 6pm from Monday to Friday and until 1pm on Saturdays. Banks are open from 9.30am to 4.30pm on weekdays and until 1.30pm on Saturdays. Department stores are open seven days a week from about 10.30am until 7.30pm and most markets and shops keep longer hours.
Major industries: Shipbuilding, cars, machinery, electronics, machinery, chemicals, textiles
Major trading partners: USA, Japan, Germany, China
Internet domain: .kr
International dialling code: +82

Event

Calendar of Events*:

January :
1st - New Year's Day
23rd-25th - Seol-Nal (Lunar New Year Days)
March :
1st - Sam Il Jul (Independence Movement Day)
June :
6th - Hyun Choong II (Memorial Day)
July :
17th - Je Hun Jul (Constitution Day )
August :
15th - Kwang Bok Jul (Independence Day)
October :
1st-2nd - Chusok (Korean Thanksgiving Days)
3rd - Kae Chun Jul (National Foundation Day)
9th - Han'Gul / Korean Alphabet Day
December
25th - Christmas Day

*Information is subject to change. For further update, please check these websites : www.bbc.com, www.cia.gov, www.earthcalendar.net

Major Tourist Cities

Seoul

Seoul is mega-modern and appealingly ancient. Partially destroyed by Japanese and Manchu invasions in the 16th and 17th centuries, and almost totally flattened in the Korean War, most of the city has been rebuilt since the 1950s. Peeking out from among the 12-lane freeways, overshadowed by high-rises, Seoul still retains a hidden history of centuries-old temples, palaces, pagodas and pleasure gardens. It also has luxury accommodation, excellent public transport and cultural experiences aplenty, and that's why most visitors to South Korea never get past its city limits. The Han River bisects the city, with Jung-gu the central district, Jongno-gu (with many hotels and sights) to the north, and Itaewon (packed full of shopping, bars and nightlife) just south of the city centre.

Seoul attracted widespread international attention by hosting the 1988 Olympic Games, though political pressure and labour problems spilled into the streets for the world to see. The city again took the world's centre stage in 2000, when a busload of North Koreans saw their families for the first time in 50 years in a tearful reunion at the Seoul Convention and Exhibition Center. The 2002 World Cup, for which Seoul built a huge stadium in the shape of a Korean kite symbolising hope for national unity and world peace, brought many new visitors to this intiguing city where old co-exists with new and where East and West enjoy each other's company.


Local Travel Agent(s):

	Global Network Inc.
	Address: 1, Gongpyung-Dong, Jongro-Ku, Seoul Korea, South Phone: +82 2 733 7800, 733 7808, Fax: +82 2733 8540
	Wannatour.Com
	Address: 701 Hyobong Bld, 1306-1 Seo Cho Dong, Seo Cho Gu, Seoul Korea, South Phone: +82 2 3477 7555, 3477 75 82, Fax: +82 2 3477 1863
	Korea Thru Travel
	Address: Hana Building 3F, 274-20, Hongeun-Dong, Seodaemun-Gu., Seoul Korea, South Phone: +82 2 396 8868, Fax: +65 62341401
	Wannie Choe
	Address: Main Office:#201 Welfare Foundation Bldg 95, Mukyo Dong, Choong-Ku, Seoul, Korea Pyung Tek Branch:302-84, Shin Jang Dong, Kyung Gi Do, Pyung Tek, Korea Phone: +82 31 664 2202, 664 2442, Fax: +82 31 667 2011
	Webbiztravel Inc.
	Address: 178-16, Amsa 2-Dong, Kangdong-Ku, Seoul, Korea 134-052 Phone: +82 2 3427 0054, Fax: +82 2 3427 3254

Seoul City Map

Population: 10.6 million
Area: 606 sq km (233 sq mi)
Country: Korea, South
Main language: Seoul
Time: GMT/UTC +9
Telephone Area Code: 02