conferences_koreasth
Table of Contents
traveling to Republic of Korea (South Korea) for conferences
see also:
- EM Asia 2016 conference - The K-Hotel, Seoul 24-26th Aug 2016
- prepaid mobile phone sim card for non-Koreans:
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- as of 2016, SIM costs $AU7, 30 day plans such as 1Gb data for $AU42 incl 10,000won of calls (13min to Aust or ~40min local)
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- as of 2016, data pack will cost $AU75 for 500Mb and calls cost 20c/min, sms 35c (25c/Mb if no data pack) - may as well just use Telstra's travel pack
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- Telstra International Travel Pack for Telstra mobile customers
- as of 2016, Korea is in Telstra's Zone 2 and will cost $AU70/wk for unlimited calls, SMS and 512Mb data
introduction
- South Korea is a mountainous part of the Korean Peninsula having been politically separated from North Korea after WWII due to the Cold War with US occupying South Korea while the Soviets occupied North Korea and resulting in the Korean War of 1950-53 between the two states which killed 1.2m people and resulted in a perpetual “technical state of war” as no peace treaty was ever signed
- of its 51m population, 92% live in urban areas, half of whom live in high rise apartments in the capital Seoul which has 25 million pop.
- the sustained economic growth since the 1960's has resulted in it becoming Asia's most advanced democracy with high government transparency, universal healthcare, freedom of religion and fundamental rights protected by the most developed rule of law in East Asia, and the world's 5th largest exporter while median household income is ranked 8th in the world.
- it has a highly influential pop culture
- Korea is still a homogenous mono-cultural society and Koreans will often stare at non-Koreans
- there are 20 national parks and popular nature places like the Boseong Tea Fields, Suncheon Bay Ecological Park, and the first national park of Jirisan
- Seoul is 37deg N latitude and longitude is similar to the West Australian border
- many of its air pollution issues arise from its close proximity to China
- Seoul's population on 20 million means it is noisy almost 24×7 - only time there isn't noise in the city is during Chuseok, when almost everyone heads to their family graves in the country
- travel visas are not required for Australians traveling to south Korea for up to 90 days
climate
- humid continental climate and a humid subtropical climate
- best time to visit for comfort is Sept-Nov (autumn)
- you will need an umbrella or rainwear all year round, especially summer when it can also give you shade
- four distinct seasons:
- spring: late-March to early-May
- possible yellow dust pollution from strong winds from China and Mongolia may cause URT/LRT health problems
- summer: mid-May to early-September
- can be uncomfortably hot and humid, with temperatures exceeding 30 °C in most parts of the country
- affected by the East Asian monsoon late June-late August
- rainfall is heavier in summer during a short rainy season called jangma which occurs in the month of July
- the southern coast is subject to late summer typhoons that bring strong winds and heavy rains
- autumn: mid-September to early-November
- winter: mid-November to mid-March
- can be extremely cold with the minimum temperature dropping below −20 °C (−4 °F) in the inland region of the country
- Seoul:
- average January temperature range is −7 to 1 °C
- average August temperature range is 22 to 30 °C
- avg annual rainfall 1,370mm, mostly in July and August which receive over 300mm each month
language issues
- few Koreans speak English as English only became mandatory in schools this century
- learn a few key phrases of Korean
- when Korean words are translated to English-style words, G and K are often used interchangeably
- you will be expected to speak Koreans, even Koreans who have learnt English may only be able to read/write but not speak it
- keep sentences short and simple with most who can speak some English and for words with a t at the end pronounce it like tu as they have trouble with a t
- to get to an inter-city bus station, ask the hotel staff to tell your taxi driver which one you need to get to
- if you need English assistance or travel information, just dial 1330, and a bilingual operator will offer you detailed tourism information
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- 10 Da-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul - Subway line 1 Jonggak stn exit 5
health issues
- northern and rural parts risk malaria but this is low risk unless sleeping outside in these regions
- hepatitis A and typhoid - vaccination is recommended for both, but especially hepatitis A as there is a risk from food and water wherever you stay 1)
- hepatitis B virus vaccination is highly recommended, particularly if at risk activities
- rabies and related lyssaviruses risk is low but vaccination is recommended for at risk activities
- Japanese encephalitis is a risk in those in rural or periurban settings, especially in the warmer months, but risk is low for travelers to urban areas
- Seoul is often blanketed with a thick, choking haze
- smog, fine black dust and dust mites are all issues, especially in summer, so hayfever and asthma can be problematic, bring along antihistamines, etc
- the “Yellow Wind” sandstorms from Mongolia via Beijing can reduce visibility and exacerbate airway issues in March and April - you may need to wear masks to avoid sore eyes and throats, while those with atopy may have worse eczema
- bed bugs can be annoying
- Koreans drink a LOT of their local alcohol, Soju
dangerous animals
- Korean wilderness used to be more dangerous with tigers, amur leopards, brown bears, and wolves but these are now extinct in South Korea thanks to hunting and habitat loss early last century (some still are found in North Korea and the Eurasian lynx and Siberian tiger do still roam the DMZ)
- Asian black bears still roam the thick forests of Jirisan and Seoraksan in South Korea as well as Nth Korea
- mosquitoes are the most dangerous
- wild boar roam the mountain sides esp. Jeju
- asian giant hornets
- 4 types of poisonous snakes which are rarely encountered and mainly in the mountains along streams but not lethal for adults:
- 3 mamushi pit viper species (Gloydius sp) such as the amur viper or rock mamushi (Gloydius saxatilis)
- tiger keelback (Rhabdophus tigrinus)
- jellyfish stings
- the banana spider or golden orb spider (Nephila clavata) may give a painful bite but only minimal systemic symptoms
other issues and risks
- personal safety
- generally Korea is safe and Koreans are generally polite and quiet, although many come across as rude, unfriendly while others tend to micromanage and regulate behaviour of tourists
- you are at much lower risk of theft than in Europe tourist cities but over-crowded tourist areas still have some risk
- although crime rates are low, you still need to take care with valuables (hide them, use the hotel safe, or take them with you), ensure your room locks, and avoid having your drinks spiked (use buddy system at bars), etc
- foreigners have increasingly become victims of flash mob attacks by gangs of young adult Korean males, most likely in the nightlife areas such as Hongdae, Cheonho, and Gangnam and in business districts
- getting money
- many ATM's don't accept foreign cards even if it has VISA logo so look for a “foreign card” sign
- you may need to try an ATM at the airport or the central station in Seoul, or ATMs in convenience stores
- take cash with you
- be careful of motorcycles and cars on the sidewalk
- make sure you walk in a straight line since the motorcycles will be trying to get by you and you might not hear them.
- if you step aside suddenly you may get hit by one
- taxi drivers will run red lights, blast through crowded crosswalks, drive in oncoming lanes, and try to rip you off if they think you're either drunk or just don't know where you're going - wear your seat belt!
- cross roads underground if possible
- shopping is expensive
- market retailers have a local price and a tourist price, you need to find a Korean to haggle to get the right price!
- “cheap” clothing at markets is cheap - it is likely to fall apart soon
- many “authentic” items are not so - this may be an issue with copyright when you return to your country
- BYO toilet paper
- well not really, but you may need to buy some from the dispenser BEFORE you go into the cubicle
- if the toilet is a squat toilet do not put paper into toilet but into the trash can
getting there from Australia
- 10.5hr direct flights from Sydney to Seoul (via Qantas and Asian Airlines)
- Virgin offer flights from Melbourne via Singapore on Singapore Airlines but these take much longer
- an alternative is Melb to Hong Kong then Cathay Pacific to Seoul
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- AREX express train 40min Express non-stop from airport 8,000 won each way and depart every 20-40min
- to get to K-Hotel from Seoul Station is a further 1hr bus ride!
- City Limousine Bus 5,000 to 15,000 won and the travel time is approximately 60 to 80 minutes, depending on traffic and the destination
- KAL Limousine Bus to major hotels, 60-80min
- international taxis take 80-90min and charge around 55,000-75,000 won flat rate be aware other taxis may give fraudulent fares to foreigners!
- getting around Seoul:
- consider purchasing TMoney or a Seoul Citypass Plus - works on trains, buses and taxis and up to four transfers between buses and between bus and subways are free for Tmoney users - to transfer, make sure you scan the Tmoney card at the reader by the bus’ front or rear doors when exiting. Transfer must take place within 30 minutes (1 hour for travel between 9pm and 7am) and 10km of disembarking
- if you want multiple trips per day - consider a TMoney Mpass which costs ~10,000 won/day and purchased from tourist information centres
- bus service can be difficult due to language although major stops are announced in Korean and English - download the SeoulBus app
- Intercity travel
- Korea Train Express (KTX) takes you to southern cities
- Intercity Train Express (ITX) takes you east to Chuncheon Station in Gwangwon Province
- elsewhere you need Express Buses
- Once you have purchased your ticket, proceed to the boarding gate number on your ticket. Large luggage can be stored underneath the bus. For longer trips, buses will stop at rest areas along the highway for about 10 minutes.
Seoul attractions
- shopping:
- Dongdaemun Market
- Myeong-dong
- Insa-dong - traditional shops and food
- Namdaemun Market - 10,000 traditional stores
- tourist:
- N Seoul Tower
- Dongdaemun Design Plaza - amazing architecture, exhibitions
- Cheonggyecheon - 11km modern stream
- city walking tours
- Bukchon Hanok Village
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Seoul City Hall - modern architecture
- War Memorial of Korea
- Changdeokgung Palace
- Namsangol Hanok Village - historic homes moved to foothills
- Deoksugung Palace and Jeong-dong - leafy suburbs with old churches
- Seochon Hanok Village - rustic alleyways west of Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Insa-dong - art galleries
- Naksan Fortress Wall
- hiking mountains
- theme parks
- public parks - Seonyudo
- Gallery Art Zone at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
- music, cafes, clubs
- Hongdae
conferences_koreasth.txt · Last modified: 2024/10/16 09:31 by gary1