Geography
 
The Korean Peninsula extends southward from the eastern end of the Asian continent. Korea is roughly 1,000 km (600 miles) long and 216 km (135 miles) wide at its most narrow point.
   
Weather and Climate
 
Korea is blessed with four distinct seasons and a variety of different types of weather. Spring (Mar-May) with its warm temperature brings life to the city with the budding of beautiful flowers. Summer (Jun-Aug) is nothing less than hot and humid and the temperature usually exceeds 80°F (27°C). The rainy season begins in late June and lasts up to a month. Fall (Sept-Oct), with its clear sky and cool temperature, is excellent to live in. The long winter (Nov-Feb) is cold and dry, with moderate snowfalls. The temperature in winter averages about 23°F(-5°C).
 
   
Language
  The Korean language, like Hungarian, Mongolian, and Finnish, is classified as an Ural-Altaic Language. Hangul, the Korean alphabet, is composed of 10 simple vowels and 14 consonants.
   
 

- Structure of Hangul Syllable Construction
Syllables are always constructed beginning with a consonant.
Then a vowel follows. The syllable could stop here, or there could be another consonant, or two. The syllable begins with the initial consonant on the left or top and the vowel(s) and other consonant(s) follow to the right or bottom, like this:
가 where ㄱ "k" is the consonant, and ㅏ "ah" is the vowel. It is pronounced "Kah."
고 where ㄱ "k" is the consonant, and ㅗ "oh" is the vowel. It is pronounced "Koh."

When constructing syllables, always move from left to right and top to bottom. This is the same for reading. Sound out the initial consonant and then the following vowel(s), making it flow into the other ending consonant(s), if any. It's just like reading in English. Read left to right, sounding out each letter. And there you have the pronunciation of the syllable.
Then move on to the next syllable. Words are separated by spaces, and syllables are right next to each other. Again, just like in English.

달 where ㄷ "t" is the consonant, and ㅏ "ah" is the vowel, followed by another consonant, ㄹ "l". It is pronounced "Tahl".
돌 where ㄷ "t" is the consonant, and ㅗ "oh" is the vowel, followed by another consonant, ㄹ "l". It is pronounced "Tohl".
When writing Hangul, start in the upper left of the letter and move left to right, top to bottom. Always write the characters in this manner. If you practice this way, then as you write more and more, your Korean writing will become more natural. This way even quickly and messily written Hangul will be legible to Koreans.

- Some Examples
Above is a brief chart showing the construction of every two-character configuration. Do you notice that there are some vowels missing? That's because those other vowels are diphthongs, which are sounds made from two vowels next to each other. We do the same in English, as in "o and "u" put together make an "ow" sound as in "out." Study this chart and check out the dictionaries, and you'll find you can sound out the syllables.
 
Visa Information
 
Visitors with confirmed outbound tickets may stay up to 15 days without visas. Note that this may not apply to certain nationalities. An entry visa is strictly required for those of Cuban nationality. It is strongly advised that you consult the nearest Korean Consulate or Korean Embassy for details.
   
 

▶ Requirements for Entrance
- Any foreign visitor wishing to enter the Republic of Korea should have a valid passport and a visa.
- Visitors for sightseeing or transit with confirmed outbound tickets may stay in Korea up to 30 days without visas, except the followings.
  · Stateless Persons
  · Nationals of such countries or regions as follows :
   ALBANIA, CAMBODIA, CUBA, LAOS, RUSSIA, UKRAINE, BELARUS, MOLDOVA,
   AREMENIA, AZERBAIJAN, KAZAKHSTAN, TURKMENISTAN, UZBEKISTAN,
   TAJIKISTAN, KYRGYZSTAN, GEORGIA, MACEDONIA, BOSNIA-HERCEGOVINA,
   CHINA P.R, MONGOLIA, VIETNAM, GHANA, INDIA, IRAN, MYANMAR, NEPAL,
   NIGERIA, PHILIPPINES, SRI LANKA, PALESTINE
  · For further information, contact Korean Embassies or consulates.

▶Application for Visas
- Visitors who plan to stay in Korea for longer than 90 days must obtain visas before entering Korea.
- Nationals of those countries which have visa waiver agreement with Korea can enter without visas, on the condition that they should not engage in remunerative activities during their stay in Korea.
※ Canadians can also enter the Republic of Korea without visas for a stay of up to six months.
- Visa application should be made at Korean Embassies or consulates abroad.
- It is required for the visa applicants to submit their passport, application forms, a recent passport-style color photograph, and such other documents as determined by the status of stay.
- Visa fees are as follows :
  · Single entry visa for a stay of no more than 90 days : USD30
  · Single entry visa for a stay of more than 90 days : USD50
  · Multiple entry visa : USD80
  · Prolongation of Reentry Permit : USD20
   ※ For Citizens of United States of America, multiple entry visa fee is USD45 on the basis of reciprocity
    since the mutual agreement in 1994.
  · Exemption of Visas Fees(As listed below)

▶ Contries under Visa Exemption Agreements
- Asia & Oceania : Bangladesh, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand
- Americas : Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Colombia, Commonwealth of Dominica, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, St. Lucia, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Surinam, Trinidad & Tobago
- Africa :Lesotho, Liberia, Morocco, Tunisia, Israel
- Europe :Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Spain, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Turkey

▶ To get a Work-Permit Visa
- Please submit the following to The APCTP
  · Copy of passport
  · Copy of Ph. D. diploma
  · Letter from home institute certifying affiliation and employment
  · Curriculum vitae
  · Signed employment agreement with the APCTP
- If accompanied by family, the employee needs to provide the APCTP with the additional items as follows
  · Photocopy of passport for each family member
  · Marriage certificate and for children, birth certificate
- Get "Certificate of the Visa Issuance" from the APCTP
- Apply work-permit to the nearby Korean Embassy or Consulate with Visa Application Form, Passport and the Certificate.

▶ Immigration Office
- Seoul Immigration Office
  · Address: 319-2, Shinjeong 6-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul
  · Telephone Number (General Information): (02)2650-6335
  · Hours of operation:
    Monday through Friday 09:00-18:00 (Mar.-Oct.)
    Saturday 09:00-13:00 (Mar.-Oct.)
    Monday through Friday 09:00-17:00 (Nov.-Feb.)
    Saturday 09:00-13:00 (Nov.-Feb.)
  · Location: Near Omokkyo Station on subway line 5 (Exit 7)
- Pohang Immigration Branch Office
  · 58-13 HangKu-dong, Buk-gu, Pohang, Kyongbuk 791-120
  · Information : (054)247-2971
  · Hours of operation:
    Monday through Friday 09:00-18:00 (Mar.-Oct.)
    Saturday 09:00-13:00 (Mar.-Oct.)
    Monday through Friday 09:00-17:00 (Nov.-Feb.)
    Saturday 09:00-13:00 (Nov.-Feb.)
  · Location : Next to Pohang Marine Office (Near the Ferry Terminal to Ullungdo at Bukbu Beach)
- Please note that the Pohang Immigration Branch Office handles
  · Extending the period of stay to over 90 days after arrival for those with a single entry visa
  · Extending the period of stay less than 10 days to prepare for the departure
  · Extending the period of stay or granting re-entry of registered aliens
  · Granting the status of sojourn for those with residence (F-2)status
   
Currency and Credit Cards
 
The unit of Korean currency is Won. Major foreign currencies, traveler's checks, and major credit cards are accepted at most hotels, banks, and the airport. The current exchange rate is approximately 1000 Won per US $1.
   
Travel Information
  http://www.knto.or.kr/ eng