Travel Information
Passport and Visa
Any foreign visitor wishing to enter the Republic of Korea must have a valid passport. Visitors with confirmed outbound tickets may stay in Korea up to 30 days without visas. For those of some countries who require visa, please contact the Secretariat. They will forward an invitation letter only to presenters with accepted papers. Please contact the Korea Embassy locally first.
Climate
Korean autumn comes from September to November. It’s pleasantly warm during the day but somewhat chilly at night. The gold and crimson autumn leaves under the blue sky create a picture-perfect view. Seoul temperature is expected to range 5℃ to 15℃ in autumn season during the conference. It is sunny and dry in Seoul. Relative humidity is 40~70%. The weather is subject to change.
Geography
The Korean peninsula extends southward from the eastern end of the Asian continent. It is roughly 1,000 km (621 miles) long and 216 km (134 miles) wide at its narrowest point. Mountains cover 70% of the land mass, making Korea one of the most mountainous regions in the world. The standard meridian of the peninsula is 135 degrees, 9 hours ahead of GMT. A city located 400km from the nation’s capital, Seoul, lies at 126° 37´ of east longitude and 37° 28´ of north latitude.
Electricity
In Korea, outlets for 220 volts 60 Herz are dominant. Always check the power supply before using your equipment.
Currency and Credit Cards
The unit of Korean currency is the Won. Foreign currency and traveler's checks can be exchanged into Korean Won at foreign exchange banks and other authorized money exchangers. Credit cards, including VISA, American Express, Diners Club, Master Card and JCB, are accepted at major hotels, department stores, and large restaurants. The exchange rate is subject to fluctuation.
Tax and Tipping
Value Added Tax (VAT) is levied on most goods at a standard rate of 10%. In major tourist spots, a 10% VAT plus a 10% service charge is added to the bills.
Language
The Korean language, like Hungarian, Turkish, Mongolian and Finnish, is classified into the Ural-Altaic language group. Hangeul (the Korean alphabet) is composed of 10 simple vowels and 14 consonants. A group of scholars under the patronage of King Sejong the Great developed this systematic rendition of spoken sound in 1443.