South Korea
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Capital
Seoul
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Local time
4:48
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Population
51.42 m
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Driving side
Right
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Calling code
+82
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Currency
₩ KRW (won)
South Korea
-
Capital
Seoul
-
Local time
4:48
-
Population
51.42 m
-
Driving side
Right
-
Calling code
+82
-
Currency
₩ KRW (won)
-
Average Salary
$ 2 174
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Petrol price
€ 1.55 pl
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Precipitation
1 274mm /year
Geography & travel
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Country Area
98 480 km2
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Protected Area
8%
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Forest Area
63%
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Agricultural area
17%
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Railways
3909km
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Annual air passengers
77.13 m
Population
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Religion
no affiliation - 46 %
Christian - 26 %
Buddhist - 26 %
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Languages
Korean
English
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Armed Forces
634 500
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Alcohol consumption
10.9 l/person
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Smoking
49.8%
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Diabetes
7.2%
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Malaria
1%
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Tuberculosis
80 per 100k
Economy
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Industries
electronics, telecommunications, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel
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Agriculture
rice, root crops, barley, vegetables, fruit, cattle, pigs, chickens, milk
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Natural Resources
coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential
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Energy Import
81%
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Natural Resources
coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential
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Renewable Energy
2%
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CO2 Emissions
587 156kt
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Ease of Business
4 (Best=1, Worst=200)
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ATMs per 100k people
279
What not to do when visiting South Korea
South Korea Don't give a tip in restaurants. It's taken as charity and can offend a waiter.
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South Korea Don't forget body contact between business partners is common, but only between the same gender. It's common two men hold hands on the street without being homosexual.
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South Korea Don't say "no" directly - it's impolite to refuse a request.
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Did you know?
South Korea has the largest plastic surgery market in the world.
South Korea Don't kiss on the street - it's a taboo.
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South Korea Don't greet friends with hugs or kiss - instead you can do a slight bow.
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South Korea Don't forget to wear appropriate clothing - better to overdress than to underdress here.
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South Korea Don't be insensitive about Japan - don't refer to East Sea as the Sea of Japan, respect the comfort women statues and don't mention Dokdo.
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South Korea Don't use only left hand - it's considered as impolite. Presents need to be received with both hands.
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South Korea Don't wear shoes indoors.
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Eastern Asia Don't sit or stand on Buddha statue for taking a picture. This can lead to stay in prison.
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South Korea Don't start your meal first - it's considered impolite in South Korea. Wait for your elders to start eating before you do.
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South Korea Don't talk loudly on the subway.
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Eastern Asia Don't make a long eye contact - it's tactless.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
South Korea Don’t put feet on the furniture when visiting someone’s home - it’s extremely rude.
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Eastern Asia Don’t forget to show respect when greeting. While foreigners are expected to shake hands, the traditional form of greeting is the bow - the deeper you bow, the more respect you show. A foreign visitor ('gaijin') may bow the head slightly since no one expects foreigners to understand the subtle nuances of bowing generally.
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South Korea Don't be surprised by sitting on the floor when dining.
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South Korea Don’t try to enter North Korea from South Korea - it’s not possible.
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South Korea Don’t expect Koreans to be direct speakers - communication style tends to be somewhat indirect.
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South Korea Don’t necessarily point with index finger - it's best to point with your whole hand.
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South Korea Don't use red ink when signing documents - it’s reserved for the deceased.
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South Korea Don’t give gifts in sets of four and don’t wrap presents in green, white or black colour.
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South Korea Don’t eat or drink while walking in public.
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South Korea Don’t forget the rainy season takes place from June to August.
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Eastern Asia Don't laugh with your mouth fully open - hold your hand in front of your mouth when laughing.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
Seoul Don’t feel offended when someone bumps into you or invade your personal space without apologies - it’s a standard way of life in larger cities, like Seoul.
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