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About South Korea & Seoul

ABOUT SOUTH KOREA

Weather: Mid-June is in between temperate spring and monsoon seasons. For this reason, weather can be unpredictable. Temperatures can vary widely from 15C (60F) to 26C (80F). It is a dry month usually but is leading up to monsoon season. It is important to be prepared for heat or rainy weather.

Culture: Cultural tips when visiting Korea can help you integrate better when visiting. When meeting someone for the first time, clasp their hands with both of yours. Take turns pouring drinks for those with whom you are sharing meals, do not pour your own.

South Korea does not have a tipping culture. Tipping is not necessary but expensive restaurants and hotels may add a service charge of 10%. VAT is already included in the retail price. 

Typical words in Korea to know include:

  • Annyeonghaseyo – Hello
  • Gamsahabnida – Thank you
  • Juseyo – Please
  • Neh - Yes
  • Ahniyo - No

Time zone: South Korea is in the Korea Standard Time (KST) time zone, which is 8 hours ahead of British Summer Time BST+8).please remember to adjust your clock to the local time zone to avoid confusion and jet lag.

COVID-19 requirements: (as of April 2023) you are not required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 for entry. You will, however, have some combination of screening procedure - such as temperature check, health questionnaire, COVID-19 test and/or quarantine depending on your point of departure, nationality or visa status. 

  • Q-code: you will need to complete a health questionnaire either by paper (upon arrival) or electronically (up to 3 days prior to arrival). The questionnaire can be completed here. 

Onward Travel: If you are planning to travel to other areas of South Korea during your visit, please see these handy guides below:

 Trains to these destinations can be booked through www.letskorail.com. 

About Seoul 

Seoul is a large city with the population over 9.7 million residents. Each of Seoul’s neighborhoods has its own personality, Koreana is located close to amazing attractions such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Deoksugung, Seoul Tower, and more.

Our Save The Children Korea Office is located at Mapo-gu, 30-minute bus-ride southwest of the Koreana Hotel. Visiting our Save the Children Korea Office is planned on Tuesday, 13th June to provide participants an opportunity to learn about its’ programme and strategic focus. To find out more about our South Korea team, click here. 

 

Tourist Attractions in Seoul

  • Gyeongbokgung Palace: is arguably the most beautiful and largest of all five palaces located in Seoul. This highly impressive building, with its double-tiered stone platform and surrounding open-sided corridors, is where kings were crowned, met foreign envoys and conducted affairs of state.
  • Insa-dong: Located in the heart of the city, Insa-dong is home to "historical Seoul" with many shopping and dining options. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries and traditional restaurants, teahouses and cafes. Visitors can experience and see traditional Korean culture firsthand, and also purchase pieces of fine art. 
  • Myeondong shopping: Myeong-dong is one of the primary shopping districts in Seoul. Many brand name shops and departments stories line the streets. There are also many restaurant and street food dining options. 

Here are some additional travel guides that might be useful during your time in Seoul:

 

Resturants 

Our colleagues from South Korea have crafted this comprehensive map to assist you in selecting the perfect dining destination. This map showcases a diverse array of culinary choices, encompassing traditional Korean delicacies, Chinese and Japanese cuisine, as well as vegan and Halal options. To streamline your decision-making process, utilise the convenient search bar situated on the left-hand side, enabling you to effortlessly narrow down your preferred choices. Moreover, the map also provides information such as ratings, captivating pictures, and proximity.