Planning for Deposition Travel to South Korea

To enter Korea from the United States, it is recommended that you have an original, signed passport that is valid for 6 months beyond your stay. Make sure there at least two blank visa pages available for any necessary stamp(s).

Korea Visas

Neither a tourist visa nor a business visa is required for American visitors to enter Korea.

When traveling to Seoul, the most convenient airports are Incheon (ICN) and Gimpo (GMP). For areas outside of Seoul, contact us.

Travel Advisories

Considering the ongoing conflict between North Korea and South Korea, it is advisable to check for travel warnings or restrictions before your trip. For updated travel alerts and information, please visit the website of the Embassy of the United States, Seoul/Korea. You can also download the SmartTravel App for your smartphone created by the U.S. Department of State.

Staying in Seoul

There are many excellent hotels in Seoul that cater to the business traveler. Planet Depos is pleased to assist you with hotels as we offer corporate discounts at most of the top hotels in Seoul. First, determine if you will be staying north or south of the River Han (almost like going between New Jersey and New York City). It is possible to stay north of the river and travel south, or vice versa, but you must be prepared for heavy traffic and a long commute, despite the relatively short distance between the two. The best choice is to choose a hotel near the deposition venue.

Medical Information for South Korea

Generally, there are some modern medical facilities in South Korea, predominantly in Seoul, which is English-friendly. For a list of local-speaking doctors, please contact the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers.

Money Matters

Most of Seoul accepts credit cards in taxis, restaurants, and shops. The two most widely used credit cards are Visa and MasterCard. However, it is always best to carry cash for the smaller areas and lesser-developed parts of the city (convenience stores, markets, etc.) The good news is there are plenty of ATMs in the City, and you will easily have access to any amount of won (the Korean currency). For up-to-date information on the local conversion rate, visit a reputable currency converter website such as OANDA, which also provides an app for smartphones.

Weather

Temperature: Over the course of a year, the temperature typically varies from 16°F to 86°F. The warm season lasts from May 28 to September 23 with an average daily high temperature above 75°F.

Planet Depos Travel Tip: Conference rooms may be VERY warm, as the government regulates how low the air conditioning may be set. For your comfort, it is advisable to dress in layers.

The cold season lasts from December 2 to March 1 with an average daily high temperature below 44°F.

Voltage Information for South Korea

The voltage in South Korea is 220. For business travelers, the following items will require only a plug adapter, which allows the plug for your device to fit into electrical outlets in South Korea. These devices are dual voltage and are designed to automatically adjust the voltage from 110 to 220 (“dual voltage”).

• Cell phone chargers
• Laptops
• iPads
• Stenographic machines (used by court reporters / stenographers)

It is important not to confuse plug adapters with voltage. You cannot plug any 110-voltage equipment — even with a plug adapter on it – into a 220v outlet. You need either 110-220 (dual voltage) equipment or a transformer to convert from 110 to 220.

Bring Korean plug adapters with you. If you should run short, ask your hotel or one of our Planet Depos team members in Korea to provide you with some loaners.

Finally, if any of your plugs have a “ground” (a third prong on the plug), you will need a 3-2 prong adapter as well.

The above adapters are available for purchase at various electronic websites and stores.

Planet Depos Travel Tip: Buy extras adapters and keep them in your bag for backup!