LocationFar East.
Area99,313 sq km (38,345 sq miles, excluding demilitarised zone).
Population48.2 million (UN, 2005).
Population Density485.3 per sq km.
CapitalSeoul.
Population: 9,853,972 (2000).
GovernmentRepublic since 1945.
LanguageKorean.
ReligionMahayana Buddhism with a large Christian minority. Also Confucianism and Chundo Kyo, which is peculiar to Korea and combines elements of Shamanist, Buddhist and Christian doctrines.
TimeGMT + 9.
Electricity110/220 volts AC,
60Hz. Government policy is to phase out the 110 volt supply and many hotels now have a 220 volt supply.
Head of GovernmentPrime Minister Han Duck-Soo since 2007.
Head of StatePresident Roh Moo-Hyun since 2002.
TelephoneCountry code: 82.
Mobile TelephoneRoaming agreements exist with some mobile phone companies. Coverage is sporadic. It is possible to rent a handset to use whilst in Korea (Rep); pre-booking is recommended (contact
SK Telecom (website:
www.sktelecom.co.kr) or
KT ICOM (website:
www.ktf.com).
InternetInternet is available; there are Internet cafes in Seoul, and one in Taejon.
MediaThe major terrestrial TV networks dominate viewing and advertising revenue. Many South Koreans are connected to cable TV services and a digital satellite TV service competes for multichannel subscribers. There are more than 100 daily titles with national or local coverage.
PostAirmail to Western Europe takes up to 10 days.
Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1800. Gwanghwamun post office: Mon-Fri 0900-2000; Sat-Sun 0900-1800.
Press• English-language national dailies include
Korea Daily News (website:
www.kdaily.com),
The Korea Herald (website:
www.koreaherald.co.kr) and
The Korea Times (
http://times.hankooki.com).
• Other newspapers include
Hankook Ilbo (website:
www.hankooki.com),
Hangyore Sinmun (website:
www.hani.co.kr) and
Munhwa Ilbo (website:
www.munhwa.com).
Radio• Public operator
Korea Broadcasting System (KBS) operates six networks.
• Public operator
Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation operates
MBC Radio and music-based
MBC FM. •
Seoul Broadcasting System operates
SBS-FM. • Buddhist Broadcasting System (BBS) is a Buddhist network and
Far East Broadcasting Corporation (FEBC) also has religious content.
•
American Forces Network Korea (AFN Korea) is a station aimed at US military personnel.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.
2007
1 Jan New Year.
17-19 Feb Sollal (Lunar New Year).
1 Mar Independence Movement Day.
1 May Labor Day.
5 May Children’s Day.
24 May Birth of Buddha.
6 Jun Memorial Day.
17 Jul Constitution Day.
15 Aug Liberation Day.
24-26 Sep Harvest Moon (Chusok).
3 Oct National Foundation Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
2008
1 Jan New Year.
Feb* Sollal (Lunar New Year).
1 Mar Independence Movement Day.
1 May Labor Day.
5 May Children’s Day.
May* Birth of Buddha.
6 Jun Memorial Day.
15 Aug Liberation Day.
Sep* Harvest Moon (Chusok).
3 Oct National Foundation Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
Note(a) * As Buddhist holidays are determined by lunar activity, these dates are yet to be confirmed. (b) Birth of Buddha day falls on the full moon of the sixth month of the lunar year (around the middle of May on the international calendar).
Contact Information:Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the UK60 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AJ, UK
Tel: (020) 7227 5500
or 5504 (consular section).
Website:
www.koreanembassy.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1730, 1000-1200 and 1400-1600 (consular section).
Korea Tourism Organization in the UK3rd Floor, New Zealand House, Haymarket, London SW1Y 4TE, UK
Tel: (020) 7321 2535
or 7925 1717.
Website:
www.tour2korea.com Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the USA2450 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Consular section: 2320 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 939 5653 (consular section).
Website:
www.koreaembassy.org Korea National Tourism Organization (KNTO) in the USA2 Executive Drive, Suite 750, Fort Lee, NJ 07024, USA
Tel: (201) 585 0909
or 1 800 868 7567.
Website:
http://english.tour2korea.com
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