DISCOVER MORE ABOUT SEOUL & COEX
Inside information from the Coex to help you fully experience Seoul
Seoul Travel Guide
- About Seoul
- City Facts
- Business, Money & Banking
- Cellphones & Travel
- Visa Information
- Medical Services
- Important Numbers
About Seoul
Intro
Seoul is the capital of the Republic of Korea, and the largest city center in the developed world. Nearly 10 million call Seoul home, representing 20% of the entire population of Korea.
Economy
Seoul and Korea at-large experienced rapid growth following the end of the Korean War in 1953. In just sixty years, Korea has risen from war-torn poverty to become one of the world’s largest economies, valued at over $1.4 trillion USD. Korea has a per-capita GDP of US $30,000, and some of the world’s largest companies come from Korea, including Samsung, Hyundai, and LG.
Infrastructure
Seoul boasts one of the world’s most comprehensive and easy-to-use public transportation systems, including subways, high-speed rail, electric buses, and more. Wireless access is available citywide, including in moving subway cars and taxis. The city has over 30,000 hotel rooms in total, of which 7,500 are within 5 kilometers of Coex Convention Center. Many world-famous events have been hosted in Seoul, including the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, G20 Summit, and Nuclear Security Summit. Seoul is ranked as one of the top-five international event destination cities in the world by the Union of International Associations and was voted the Best Business Travel MICE City in 2011.
History and Architecture
As the capital of Korea for over 600 years, Seoul epitomizes the intersection of tradition and modernity, with ancient palaces, fortresses, temples, and tombs standing side-by-side with some of the world’s most impressive skyscrapers and city structures. There are four UNESCO World Heritage Sites within the city proper.
Environment
Seoul sits in a natural basin, surrounded by mountains and split down the middle by the majestic Han River. The city lies in a humid continental climate and experiences four distinct seasons.
To learn more about Seoul, please visit the website of the Seoul Tourism Organization or the Seoul MICE Bureau.
City Facts
Business, Money & Banking
Cellphones & Travel
Are you worried about getting connected when you arrive in Seoul? Would you like some additional travel resources while you are attending a Coex event?
The Arrival Store gets you set up with everything you need to maximize and enjoy your time in Seoul! We provide you with:
- SIM Cards
- Rental Phones
- Travel Guides
- Transportation Cards
- Travel Adapters
- And more…
Everything you order will be delivered to your accommodation and ready upon your arrival.
We have helped thousands of expats and travelers settle into life in South Korea, and know the stresses of feeling disconnected and unprepared when you first arrive. Get connected on your own phone with a prepaid SIM card or use one of our Rental Phones. If you are planning on sightseeing, pick up one of our Welcome Packages or Lonely Planet Travel Guides. They are extremely helpful.
To view cellphone and travel resource packages available to Coex guests, click here.
Useful Websites for Seoul Tour
1. MICE SEOUL
http://kr.miceseoul.com/tour/en
2. Official Travel Website of Seoul
www.visitseoul.net
http://chinese.visitseoul.net/index (Chinese)
3. Visitseoul Weibo Account
http://www.weibo.com/visitseoul?is_hot=1
4. Visitseoul Facebook Account
https://www.facebook.com/VisitSeoul
5. Visitseoul Youku Seoul Travel Promotion Video
http://i.youku.com/u/UMzI4NTIwODY0
Travel Service
1. Discover Seoul Pass
http://discoverseoulpass.com/index.php/zh
2. One more trip
https://www.onemoretrip.net/main/index
Visa Information
C-2 : Short Term Business VISA
Application Eligibility
- Those arranging the establishment of a branch of foreign corporation or corporation with inward foreign direct investment.
- self-employees who purchase
- Those that are self-employed, and seeking to make purchase.
- Those entered for consulting or contract, that were invited by the Korean public/private organization
- Those in trade business that seek to acquire knowledge of installation, repair, inspection, or operation of machinery (except those being paid for such acts)
Where to apply
- The embassy or the consulate of the Republic of Korea
Required Documents
※ Items subject to change depending on individual circumstances
- Passport
- Application for Visa Issuance
- Trade record with enterprise invited by Korean(invitation, import/export license, contract, intent letter of business expedition, documents related to import/export, etc.)
- Documents related to the foundation of enterprise invited by Korean (a copy of business registration, a certificate of business registration, an attested copy of corporation registry, a certificate of tax payment, etc)
- Documents related with the invitees(a certificate of incumbency)
- Documents related with the invited enterprise(business relations if China, etc)
- Fee: single-entry visa: $30 (USD), multiple-entry visa: $50 (USD)
APEC B.T.C (Business Travel Card)
- Those with APEC B.T.C are may enter Korea without a visa. They are granted Short Term Business (C-2) status and 90 days of stay
- The member nation for APEC B.T.C(14 nations)
Korea, Australia, the Philippines, New Zealand, Chile, Hong Kong, the Federation of Malaysia, Thailand, Peru, Brunei, Taiwan, Japan, China, Indonesia(Hong Kong issue ABTC to non-citizens that live in Hong Kong) Chileans are granted single-entry visa good for up to 6 months of stay, based on Korea-Chile Free Trade Agreement.
We recommend:
- Start your Registration and Visa process early.
- Consult with the Korean Embassy in your country and the web site for current VISA application requirements.
- When applying for your Visa, include evidence of previous trips to Korea and include proof of intent of returning to your country. Apply for your VISA with all required documents.
Important Note:
- To facilitate your visit, contact the Korean Embassy in your country to discuss potential trade mission opportunities.
- Do not travel to Korea, or make travel arrangements, without proper entry documentation.
- Visa support will be provided to exhibitors only.
Medical Services
Medical Services
In Seoul, there are many modern hospitals equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. Korea is known for its high-quality medical services without long waiting periods in the event of an emergency or sickness. Many major hospitals offer multilingual interpretation services. Contact your hotel or call 120, 1330 (general information) or 1339 (medical line) for more information.
The 1339 Emergency and Non-Emergency Medical Services for Foreigners
In the event of an emergency (or non-emergency) situation, a variety of medical services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Information on international medical centers, services and hospitals.
- General consultation on first aid and advice in emergency situations
- Contact for ambulance and medical services
- Information on hospitals for non-emergency patients
- Other useful non-emergency medical information
- Information in English, Japanese, and Chinese
International Health Care Centers in Seoul
Larger Korean hospitals generally operate an international health care center or medical clinics for English and non-Korean speaking patients. Their multilingual medical staff and volunteers can help you receive affordable and quality medical care.
- International Medical Center at Yonsei Sinchon Severance Hospital +82-2-2228-5800
- International Health Care Center at Seoul National University Hospital +82-2-2072-0505
- International Health Care Center at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital +82-2-590-2932
Important Numbers
Seoul Global Center
+82 2-1688-0120 (overseas) or 1688-0120 (in Korea)
Monday to Friday from 9-6 pm – Call to ask any questions about visiting or living in Seoul.
Korea Tourism Organization Information Line
+82 2 1330 or 1330
24 hours a day – Tourism information and translation services.
Seoul’s Dasan 120 Call Center
+82 2 120 or 120, 9am to 10pm daily
