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- <text id=93CT1750>
- <title>
- Korea, South--Travel
- </title>
- <history>
- Compact ALMANAC--CIA Factbook
- East Asia
- South Korea
- </history>
- <article>
- <source>CIA World Factbook</source>
- <hdr>
- Travel
- </hdr>
- <body>
- <p> Climate and clothing: Korea's temperate, four-season climate
- is like that of the eastern US. Dress is more conservative than
- in the US.
- </p>
- <p> Customs: All travelers entering the ROK must have a visa,
- which may be obtained from a Korean Consulate. Tourist visas are
- good for 60 days. No immunizations are required of travelers
- from the US.
- </p>
- <p> Health: Health services are fair to good in most major
- cities. Many Korean physicians have been trained in Western
- medicine, and hospital services are adequate. Outside of the
- major hotels, water generally is not potable.
- </p>
- <p> Transportation: International airports serve Seoul (Kimpo),
- Pusan (Kimhae), and Cheju Island. Extensive intercity air, rail,
- and bus service is available, as is an excellent network of
- local bus, taxi, and (in Seoul) subway services.
- </p>
- <p> Telecommunications: Seoul is 14 time zones ahead of eastern
- standard time (13 hrs. during daylight-saving time).
- International direct-dial service is available to Korea's major
- cities. Internal telephone and telegraph services are available.
- </p>
- <p> Tourist attractions: The Yi dynasty palaces in Seoul--Kyongbok, Changdok, and Toksu--are recommended, as are the
- National Museum of Korea and the Korean Folk Museum. The folk
- village at Suwon, located less than an hour's drive from Seoul,
- is a fine example of a "living museum." Sorok Mountain and Cheju
- Island are popular scenic attractions, while Pusan and Masan are
- examples of a modern Korean port and industrial site. The
- southeastern city of Kyongju has many fine antiquities. English
- is widely spoken at major tourist sites and facilities in the
- principal cities; in other areas, English speakers may be less
- readily found.
- </p>
- <p> National holidays: Businesses and the US Embassy may be
- closed on the following holidays--National Day (Independence
- Day), August 15; New Year, January 1-3; Foundation Day
- (commemorating the founding of the nation by a god-king
- Tangun), October 3; Hangul Day (commemorating the creation of
- the Korean alphabet in 1446), October 9; Chusok (harvest moon
- festival), date varies, usually in August or September.
- </p>
- <p>Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs,
- April 1987.
- </p>
-
- </body>
- </article>
- </text>
-
-