Going to South Korea: Formalities and administrative steps

Covid-19 : current situation South Korea

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, entry and travel restrictions may apply South Korea. Remember to visit the site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you leave for the latest information

Money South Korea

The country's currency is the won. It can also be found in the following forms: KRW , 원 or ₩. 1 euro is approximately equal to 1430 won (February 2024). Beware, however, as the value changes greatly and can be quite confusing, as sums in Korea often have more than three zeros. The currency is broken down as follows: the coins you come across have the following denominations: 10, 50, 100 and 500; as for banknotes, there are four, and these are the ones most commonly used: 1,000(cheon won), 5,000(o cheon won), 10,000(man won), 50,000(o man won). You can pay by card (Visa, MasterCard...) almost everywhere. But some small shops will ask you to pay in cash (so that they can avoid taxes), so remember to always carry some with you. On the other hand, there's no need to carry around astronomical sums of money. If you run out of cash, you can withdraw, but not at all Korean banks. They are open every day between 9am and 6pm. Banque KB is certainly the best bank for withdrawals with a foreign card. There's always a small surcharge of a few euros because you're abroad. To find your nearest ATM, geolocation tools are available. Visit visa.fr/services-en-ligne/trouver-un-distributeur or mastercard.com/en/particuliers/trouver-distributeur-banque.html.

It is rare to find distributors with a French option in Korea. If you're not fluent in English, here's a little glossary to help you: "Retrait" is then called "withdrawal". If you're asked to choose between withdrawing from a "checking account", a "credit account" or a "saving account", opt for "checking account". Select "debit" for debit and "credit" for credit. (If you make a mistake in any of these options, don't worry - the only risk is that the transaction will be refused). Enter the desired amount and confirm ("enter"). To the question "Would you like a receipt?", answer "Yes" and keep your receipt in a safe place. The best advice we can give you is to systematically check your credit card limits before you leave, to avoid any unpleasant surprises. And to be on the safe side, tell your bank about your trip. In the event of a problem, it will be able to increase your limit remotely and temporarily. In the event of loss or theft of your card abroad, your bank will offer you appropriate solutions so that you can continue your stay in peace. Before you leave, make a note of the assistance number printed on the back of your bank card or available on the Internet. This service is available 24/7. In the event of a stop payment, this is immediately confirmed as soon as you can provide your bank card number. Otherwise, the opposition is recorded but you must confirm the cancellation to your bank by fax or registered letter. All prices quoted (in restaurants, stores, hotels, etc.) include 10% VAT. You therefore pay the prices displayed, nothing more.

Budget & Tips South Korea

Airline tickets and extras aside, here are a few possibilities for spending a day, according to different types of budget.

Low budget: youth hostels, small restaurants, public transport, free activities or under 10,000 won: 50,000 won.

Medium budget: Motel or mid-range hotel, good restaurants, public transport and/or cab: 120,000 won.

Big budget: hotel or luxury hotel, good restaurants, cab: 220,000 won.

It's worth noting that hotel rates often drop dramatically in the low season, and that there are many discounts when you book a room directly via their website. The last Wednesday of the month is a day dedicated to culture in South Korea, and visits are often half-price or free.

Passport and visas South Korea

For short stays in South Korea of less than 90 days, French citizens do not need a visa. In addition, they can benefit from a temporary exemption from K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) between April 1, 2023 and December 31, 2024, as part of a program to support tourism and the celebration of "Visit Korea Year" (2023-2024). K-ETAs already issued will remain valid until they expire. It is important to note that some unofficial websites offer K-ETA at excessive rates or issue false documents, so it is recommended to apply only on the official website.

A valid passport is sufficient to enter Korea, with no need to have 6 months of validity remaining after the date of exit from the country.

For long-stay visa applications, a Korean Visa Application Center (KVAC) has been opened in Paris to process applications from French nationals and third-country residents in France.

DMZ demarcation line. A few essential rules: you must present your passport; make your reservation at least two weeks in advance; make your visit with a specialized agency; your attitude must be calm and respectful; dress must be decent (no shorts, dresses or skirts above the knee, no military clothing, no t-shirts); take photos only if authorized.

Driver's license South Korea

A simple French driver's license is not enough, an International Driving Permit (IDP) valid until the end of the trip is required. To apply for one, follow the steps indicated on the French government website (www.demarches.interieur.gouv.fr). To rent a car on Korean soil you must be over 21 years old and have had your driving license for at least one year.

Health South Korea

No vaccinations are required for a trip to South Korea. However, it is advisable to be up to date with your vaccinations. If there's one thing to watch out for, it's mosquitoes, which can transmit Japanese encephalitis in the most rural areas. To avoid the risk, take a small bottle of repellent essential oils with you. In the event of an epidemic like that of 2020 (coronavirus), you will be warned by the local authorities. In this case, you can easily buy a mask in any local store. We recommend that you wear it in all public places (subways, museums, etc.) and wash your hands as often as possible. Although tap water is drinkable, it's not ideal, and bottled water or water from one of the water fountains is preferable. Even if it's only a short trip, we still recommend that you take a small first-aid kit with you, including the essentials.

Security South Korea

South Korea is considered one of the safest countries in the world. This is certainly due to the CCTV surveillance system that is present everywhere. No need to worry about going out late at night, even if you're a woman. No worries about theft either. You can leave your phone on a table where everyone can see it, and nothing will happen to it. If you're ever unlucky enough to have a problem, you can contact the police on 112 or the Tourist Complaint Center.

Time difference South Korea

The time difference is +7h (in summer) and +8h (in winter). In other words, if it's 10 a.m. in France, it'll be 5 or 6 p.m. in South Korea.

Spoken languages South Korea

Unsurprisingly, Koreans speak Korean (한국어). And they're always delighted when a foreigner says hello or thanks in their language. So don't hesitate! Even if the "standard" Korean is the one spoken in Seoul, dialects from one region to another are often very marked, especially as you head south. But if you mumble a few words of "academic" Korean, no matter what city you're in, you'll be understood. In the big cities, English is fairly common, but it becomes rarer in the deeper countryside. However, even if their English is not very good, they will always go out of their way to help you. Other Asian languages are also spoken, in particular Chinese and Japanese, which are taught at school.

Communication South Korea

As a small country, South Korea has perfect telephone coverage. To call France, you need to add the following indicator in front of the number: 00+33. There are three main operators: SK Telecom, KT Olleh and LG U+. All of them offer prepaid SIM cards at more or less similar rates, giving you access to calls, SMS and Internet over a pre-defined period. You can find one of these companies as early as Incheon airport.

Internet in Korea is magic! Quite simply, it's the best network in the world. You'll find wifi (와이파) in restaurants, cafés, bars, hotels, stores... but above all in the middle of the street, it's possible to connect to the internet reliably and quickly. And this applies in the big cities, as well as on a mountain top or deep in the countryside. In this respect, South Korea remains unbeatable. If you're not too shy, you can also visit one of the countless PC Bang / PC방 (literally "computer room") and, for a few won, use the Internet for an hour or more.

Electricity and measurements South Korea

The good news is that there's no need to invest in an adapter before traveling to Korea, as the plugs are C/F type, as in France. The voltage is slightly lower, at 220 V, and the frequency is 60 Hz.

When traveling, measurement differences can quickly become a headache if you want to do a little shopping. Here are the main equivalents between France and South Korea. For women's clothing, a French S is 44/55 in Korea, an M is 55/66 and an L is 77/88. However, many garments are available in one size only(free size, FS). For men, a French S is 95, an M 100, an L 105 and an XL 110. Bear in mind that sizes in Korea will be much smaller. For shoes, they don't measure in centimeters. A French 38 is 240, a 39 is 250, a 40 is 255, a 42 is 270, a 44 is 285. The vast majority of weight measurements are in Kg. Beware, however, that sometimes on traditional markets, you may come across the Korean pound(geun, 군). 1 geun is worth 600 grams.

Luggage South Korea

In summer, it gets really hot and humid. So remember to wear light, air-permeable clothing. Be careful, however, not to show too much of your upper body, as people might look at you the wrong way. Even so, you'll need a little vest to cover up inside a restaurant or museum, when the air-conditioning is very (or even too) cold. Although you can buy them cheaply in convenience stores (CU, 7 Eleven...), take an umbrella, as it rains a lot in summer. If you have, take a mosquito-bite cream. Mosquitoes are particularly tough here. If you're planning to go to the beach, you can take a swimsuit, but you should know that Koreans don't swim much in swimsuits; they use old clothes that don't suck (to show off their bodies as little as possible and to protect themselves from the sun). In winter, there's only one watchword: cover up as much as you can! The Korean winter is icy and penetrating, especially if you're in Seoul and inland. It would be a shame to end your stay in bed with a 40°C fever. So get on the plane with scarf, gloves, hat and warm coat..

For the off-seasons, always pack something to cover up and something light, because every now and then the Korean thermometer will suddenly go crazy. Always leave a little room in your luggage for the return journey and the (very likely) many souvenirs you'll be bringing back.