Korea Business Travel

◎ Currency & Credit Cards

The unit of Korean currency is the won. Coin denominations are ￦10, ￦50, ￦100, ￦500. Bank notes are ￦1,000, ￦5,000 and ￦10,000. Bank checks are circulated in denominations of ￦100,000 and over.
Foreign currency and traveler's checks can be converted 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.

◎ ATM for Foreign Travelers

Travellers who carry internationally recognized credit cards can withdraw cash from their accounts or get a cash advance at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) installed at major hotels, department stores, subway stations and tourist attractions.

◎ Internet Cafes, PC Game Rooms

For access to the internet, visit an internet cafe.
Services often include printing, scanning, fax, etc. Or (if you don't mind a noisy game-playing atmosphere!) virtually anywhere in urban Korea you can find easily a PC game room and access the internet with one hour for 1,000won or 2,000won.

◎ Tipping & Tax

Tipping is not a traditional Korean custom. A 10% service charge is added to your bill at all tourist hotels.
Value-Added Tax (VAT) is levied on most goods and services at a standard rate of 10% and is included in the retail price. In tourist hotels, this 10% tax applies to rooms, meals and other services and is added into the bill.

◎ Electricity

In Korea, 220 voltage outlets are dominant. Always check the power supply before using your
equipment.

◎ Shopping

Wholesale Clothing Markets (Clothing Shopping Mall)
When it comes to buying clothes in Korea, the wholesale clothing markets concentrated in Dongdaemun are becoming Korea's leading shopping centers. Thousands of small shops set in modern facilities open until daybreak attracting many fashionable night shoppers.

Traditional Markets
Traditional markets are where you can experience customary Korean shopping culture. At these markets, you will only find one-story buildings and small handcarts full of interesting goods. When you shop at one of these traditional markets, it is a good idea to shop at a comfortable pace, eating snacks at a street cart, and absorbing the culture. Gyeongdong Herbal Medicine Market, Gwangjang Market and Namdaemun Market are most popular in Seoul.

Department Stores
Korean department stores usually have sales in each of the four seasons. Generally, each department store has a two-week long sale period in January, April, July and October. It is a good idea to check out the advertisements and details of these sales on the Internet. However, be prepared to battle the crowd in the department stores during these sale seasons.