Invitation Letters
Upon request the conference secretariat will be pleased to send a personal invitation for participation of the conference. It should be understood that an invitation is only to help participants raise travel funds or to obtain a visa.
Time Zone
Korea is 9 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +9) and does not have daylight savings time.
Currency and Foreign Exchange
The unit of Korean currency is the Won (￦). Coin denominations are ￦10, ￦50, ￦100 and ￦500. Banknotes are ￦1,000, ￦5,000, ￦10,000 and ￦50,000. As of September, 2011, the exchange rate is approximately US$1 to KR￦1200. Foreign banknotes and traveler's check can be exchanged at foreign exchange banks and other authorized moneychangers. Also, ATM’s can be found all over.
Business Hours
Government office hours are usually from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekdays and closed on weekends. Banks are open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm on weekdays and closed on weekends. Major stores are open every day from 10:30 am to 8:00 pm, and there are many 24 hour business all around major cities.
Electricity
The standard voltage in Korea is 220 volts. . Most power outlets fit European plugs and perhaps that American outlets are occasionally available. It has two round holes and is the same type used in France, Germany, Austria, Greece, Turkey, and many other countries. Most hotels may provide outlet converters for 110 and 220 volts. Always check the power supply before using your equipment.
Telephone / Mobile Phone
To make international calls, please dial the international dialing code (001, 002, 00700) + country code + area code + phone number. Most convenient stores, hotels, and airports sell domestic and international phone cards. Mobile phones can be rented at the airport or at major hotels. You need your identification card (passport)and credit card to access mobile phone rental services. All cell phone networks are 3G at the 2011 Mhz band.
* Pre-paid Phone Cards: Generally, since it is almost impossible to find budget mobile phone rentals,
pre-paid phone cards are available at any convenience stores or news stands.
Tip
Tipping is not a regular practice in Korea. Service charges are often included in the bill for rooms, meals, and other services at hotels and upscale restaurants. Koreans occasionally do tip when they are especially pleased with the services provided.
Tax
Upon request, visitors can receive nearly 10 percent VAT refunds for purchases at the "Duty Free Shopping" outlets. Goods must be taken out of Korea within three months of purchase to be eligible for a tax refund. Only foreigners in Korea can apply for this tax refund. Participants can receive a refund on a receipt for a minimum purchase of KRW 50,000 (around US$ 54). To receive this refund, present refund receipts with the purchased goods at the customs desk at the Incheon International Airport on departure. These receipts can be cashed in at the Cash Refund Office in front of the Airport Duty Free Shop.
Insurance
Participants are advised to get adequate travel and health insurance before leaving their respective countries.
Credit Card
Diners Club, Visa, American Express, and MasterCard are widely accepted at major hotels, shops, and restaurants in most cities. Check with your credit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.