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Area:
South Korea covers an area of 98,500 sq. km (38,000 sq. miles). The
country is bordered on the north by North Korea, on the west by the
Yellow Sea, known to Koreans as the West Sea, and to the east and
south by the East Sea, which Japanese refer to as the Japan Sea.
Population:
48 million.
Major
Cities: Seoul (10.3 million); Busan (4 million); Daegu
(2.5 million); Incheon (2,3 million)
Time
Zone: Korean time is GMT+9 hours. There is no daylight
saving time. When it is noon in Seoul it is 3am in London (4am during
British Summer Time), 10pm the previous day in New York (11pm from
April to October), 9pm the previous day in Chicago (10pm during daylight
saving time), 7pm the previous day in Los Angeles (8pm during daylight
saving time)
Religion:
There is no official state religion. Many Koreans practice a mix of
Buddhism and Confucianism, with folk influences and shamanism Approximately
one quarter of the population would define themselves as Christian.
Korea has the second largest population of Christians in Asia.
Language:
Korean.
Currency:
won (W). In August 2004, the exchange rate was W1, 110 to 1 USD, and
W2, 050 to 1 Pound Sterling.
Electricity:
220V outlets are standard throughout Korea. Few places have 110V outlets.
Weights
and Measures: Metric.
International
Dialing Code: 82
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Korea’s location on the eastern edge of the Eurasian landmass results
in a continental climate, with cold winters (rather milder along the
south coast and in Juju-do) and hot, humid summers. Seoul’s rather
unpredictable weather is often compared to that of New York City.
From December to early March the weather is generally cold and sunny,
with occasional snowfalls. Afternoon temperatures in Seoul are usually
around freezing; Busan is a few degrees warmer. The cold is enhanced
by the Siberian winds that whip down the peninsula, often in a cycle
of three consecutive cold days followed by four milder days.
A spring thaw comes in mid-April and lasts little more than two months.
In early spring north-westerly gusts bring swirls of dust from the
Gobi Desert and a light rain. As summer approaches, humid southerlies
vie for control and the spring drizzle becomes an occasional downpour,
culminating in three or four weeks of heavy rains during the late
July and early August monsoon season.
July and August are the hottest, most humid months, and are particularly
enervating in the inland basin around Daegu, where afternoon temperatures
climb into the low 30˚s centigrade (around 90˚F). Temperatures in
Seoul are more often around 28˚C (82˚F).
Between mid-July and the end of September occasional typhoons move
north from the East China Sea to bring torrential rain and strong
winds to the Korean peninsula, although these are rarely damaging
as they are further to the south (Juju-do is more at risk).
Autumn arrives in early October when the air currents shift back to
the crisp northerlies. The weather is normally dry and sunny. Autumn
has the advantage of the wonderful displays of foliage in the Korean
forests, while spring is famous for the cherry blossom.
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Etiquette
To many Westerners, Koreans can seem rather formal, with rigid codes
of behavior. Heavily influenced by Confucian ethics, the Koreans
place great emphasis on respect for one’s elders. Greetings, and
saying thank you, are considered important. Direct physical contact,
unless between close friends, is limited to a courteous handshake.
Remember to always remove you shoes before entering a Korean home,
although bare feet are considered insulting.
When out for a drink or a meal with a group, be prepared to take
on the role of guest, or host: Koreans will seldom pay separately.
Talking a lot during a meal is impolite, as is blowing your nose
at table and resting your chopsticks in the rice. Oddly enough,
public drunkenness is quite acceptable, as long as the inebriated
individual is not being aggressive or offensive.
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■ The National Flag |
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The Korean flag, Taegeukgi, was adopted as the national flag in
August 1883, not long after the “Hermit Kingdom” opened its front
and back doors to foreign aggressive powers. The flag symbolizes the
oriental ying-yang (in Korean, eum-yang) philosophy of the balance
and harmony in nature of opposite forces and elements which are in
perpetual motion.
The colors of the flag are red, black, and blue against white. The
red and blue circle in the center of the flag symbolizes the dualism
of the universe. The upper red paisley represents yang nature: positive,
masculine, active, constructive, light, heat, and dignity; complemented
by the lower blue paisley, eum nature: negative feminine, passive,
destructive, dark, cold, and hope.
The black trigrams in each corner are also of Chinese origin (from
the Tao Te Ching). They basically symbolize the four seasons and cardinal
directions. |
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Going clockwise from the upper left corner, the three
solid bars (Geon) represent heaven, spring, east, and benevolence;
the upper right bars (Gam) signify the moon, winter, north, and wisdom;
the lower right bars (Gon) symbolize earth, summer, west and righteousness;
and the lower left bars (Ri) represent the sun, autumn, south, and
etiquette.
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Korean Names
As with Chinese names, Korean surnames appear at the
start of a person’s name. Most surnames consist of a single syllable,
and are as easy to learn as they are to forget. The problem is that
many Koreans share the same Romanized surname (although some of the
Chinese characters may be written differently). Thus referring to
someone by his surname can only become confusing and futile after
meeting many Koreans. To add to the confusion, Korean wives retain
their maiden names. Thus, it is best to learn the entire Korean name.
Korean surnames were derived from the Chinese during the early Three
Kingdoms period (57 BC-AD 918). The most common surnames are Kim,
Yi (Lee, Rhee), and Pak (Park), followed by Choi, Chung, and Cho.
Throughout the ages, surnames have dictated one’s social position,
a tradition still honored only in isolated villages. Whether yangban
(aristocrat) or pyeongmin (commoner), however,
one’s name was recorded in a family-tree book, jokbo, which traced
an individual’s lineage back to the origin of the clan. |
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Dojang (House Seals)
Seals, engraved by professional artisans, are used in lieu of personal
signatures, especially on legal documents. The use of seals was originally
a borrowed custom from China, initially a status symbol used by royalty.
During the Three Kingdoms period, a dethroned King had to symbolically
transfer power by handing over his imperial seals.
Seals today are as popular as ever, and are commonly used by government
offices, companies, and organizations, and for personal flourishes
on stationery. The seals are carved of ivory, stone, marble, plastic,
wood, smoky topaz, jade, and other materials. The ink is made of sticky
scarlet vegetable dye that is permanent.
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Koreans have great pride in and an enduring love affair with their
own cuisine. It’s not uncommon to hear a middle-aged businessman boast
that he only likes Korean food. And the difference between most Korea
dished ad hose favored by Westerners is as different as the Korean
language and English. But here is some hope for those who simply cannot
get used to the pungent smell of gimchi. There are many Western chain
restaurants in urban areas such as McDonald, Outback, TGI Friday,
etc. These restaurants cater to a younger Korean clientele, Korean
families, and foreigners.
Probably the most popular Korean entree ordered or automatically served
to Westerners is bulgogi (barbecued beef). Most beef-eaters-whether
Texans or Koreans- are unanimous in their appreciation of this dish,
which is essentially strips of red beef marinated and then grilled
over a charcoal brazier. Another popular meet dish is tender and marbled
galbi short ribs, which are marinated and barbecued in the same way
as bulgogi. Bibimbap is a satisfying dish of boiled rice mixed with
vegetables, served in an earthenware pot.
Every visitor to Korea should sample the tempting array if snacks
at the numerous street food stalls; these are extremely popular throughout
the country, and are usually excellent (and very cheap). Try the ubiquitous
Tteok-bokgi, spicy rice paste rolls, and twigim, a Korean version
of Japanese tempura involving seafood and vegetables deep-fried in
batter. Other snacks include a variety of pancakes; pajeon (green
onion) and vindatteok (mung bean) being the most common varieties.
There is little doubt that Korean restaurants offer the best value
and the tastiest meals in Asia.
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- January 1 New Year’s Holiday
- February Lunar New Year (Seollal). Businesses closed
for 3-5 working days.
- March 1 Independence Movement Day (Samiljeol).
- April 5 Arbor Day (Singmogil).
- May 5 Children’s Day (Eorininal).
- mid-May Buddha’s Birthday (Seokga Tnasinil)
- June 6 Memorial Day (Hyeonchungil).
- July 17 Constitution Day (Jeheonjeol).
- August 15 Liberation Day (Gwangbokjeol)
- September Chuseok, harvest festival; the Korean
equivalent of the American Thanksgiving festival. Takes place on the
15th day of the 8th lunar month.
- October 3 National Foundation Day (Gaecheonjeol).
- December 25 Christmas Day
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Banks
- Weekdays 9.30am-4.30pm; Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays closed.
Department
Stores
- All week and some public holidays 10.30am-7.30pm.
Embassies
- Weekdays 9am-5pm, usually closed one hour for lunch; Saturday, Sunday
and Public Holidays closed.
Government
Offices
- Weekdays Mar-Oct 9am-6pm (5pm Nov-Feb); every other Saturday 9am-1pm;
Sunday and Public Holidays closed.
Post Offices
- Weekdays 9am-6pm; every other Saturday 9am-1pm; Sunday and Public
Holidays closed.
Private Companies
- Weekdays 9am-6pm; Saturday 9am-1pm; Sunday and Public Holidays closed.
More and more companies are adopting a five-day working week. |
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