Tour and General Information   With its scenic beauty and unique cultural and historical heritage, Korea has much to offer to its visitors. A peninsular county with four seasons, the nation boasts of picturesque valleys, mountains, rivers, and beaches. Throughout the country, there are numerous ancient temples and shrines, royal palaces, sculptured images, pagodas, archeological sites, fortresses, folk villages, and museums. Just recently, travel between South and North Korea was launched, and hence sightseeing programs co-sponsored by North Korean authorities are also anticipated.   Capital Seoul Located in the West central part of the Korean Peninsula, Seoul is both the capital and heart of South Korea. The Han river separates Seoul into two distinct Northern and Southern areas. The city lies in a natural basin surrounded by a series of mountains and hills whose grandeur and magnificent scenic beauty make it one of the most attractive and most populated metropolitan cities in the world. As of June 2004, the population of Seoul totaled to around 10.3 million, representing about a quarter of the entire population of the nation.   Climate Seoul belongs to the Temperate Zone, characterized by four distinct seasons. The average annual temperature of Seoul is 12.9°C. However, it has a wide annual temperature range, with the highest temperature in the summer reaching up to 36°C, and lowest in the winter falling to around –13°C. During the summer, the weather turns hot and humid, with the mean temperature from June to September reaching up to 20°C. Except for the monsoon season in August, Seoul enjoys mostly fair and sunny days throughout the year. In particular, the sunny days during autumn are notable for its deep and rich blue color.   Business Hours Government office hours are from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on weekdays. Banks are open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays and are closed during weekends. Major department stores are open from 10:30 am to 7:30 pm including Sundays. There are 24-hour convenience stores and drug stores. Restaurants are generally open from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, but some are still open until midnight.   Currency Exchange The basic unit of the Korean monetary system is the won (KRW). Notes are color coded and include 1,000 won, 5,000 won, and 10,000 won denominations. Coins include 100 won and 500 won denominations. Foreign bank notes and traveller’s checks can be converted into won at foreign exchange banks and other authorized money exchange outlets. ATMs are available in banks, convenience stores, and in public places. The exchange rate is subject to market fluctuations. A rough estimate of the exchange rate is 950 won to 1 US dollar.   Time Zone Local time is 9 hours ahead of GMT with no daylight saving time.   Electricity The supply of electricity commonly used in Korea is the 220-volt 60Hz system. Because most of the newly built hotels and houses have 220-volt wiring installed, you are advised to check your electronic devices beforehand.   Telephone Calls A local call costs 70 won for three minutes. To make an international call, dial international code (001, 002, 008), then the country code, area code, and the local phone number. Both domestic and international card can be purchased at stores in hotels, airports, and convenience stores.   1330 Korea Travel Phone For English assistance or travel information, just dial 1330 while in Korea and a bilingual operator will offer you detailed tourism information.   Emergency Calls Police: 112 Fire Department: 119 Medical Emergencies: 1339   Tipping Tipping is not a regular practice in Korea and is neither expected nor required. Service charges are already included in the bills for rooms, meals, and other services at hotels and upscale restaurants. Koreans occasionally tip when they are especially pleased with the service.   For Travel Information Korea National Tourism Organization (KNTO) helps to make your stay in Korea more enjoyable. For travel information, visit tour2korea web site (www.tour2korea.com). You can also get assistance for your tour at the front desk of the Hoam Faculty House.