Asia · Eastern Asia

South Korea

Republic of Korea

Flag of South Korea
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+09:00
🏛️ Capital
Seoul
👥 Population
51,159,889
📐 Area
100,210 km²
💱 Currency
South Korean won (₩)
🗣️ Languages
Korean
📞 Calling Code
+82
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+09:00
🌐 Region
Asia / Eastern Asia

About South Korea

South Korea is a country of exhilarating contrasts, where ultramodern cities pulse with technology, K-pop, and world-class cuisine while ancient palaces, mountain temples, and traditional villages endure just a short journey away. Occupying the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, this East Asian nation has undergone one of the most remarkable economic and cultural transformations of the twentieth century, evolving from a war-devastated country in the 1950s into a global trendsetter that now exports its culture as enthusiastically as it exports semiconductors.

Seoul, the capital and home to nearly half the country's 51 million people, is one of the world's great cities — a megalopolis where ancient Joseon-era palaces stand in the shadow of futuristic skyscrapers, where the nightlife rivals Tokyo and New York, and where the food scene ranges from sizzling street stalls to Michelin-starred temple cuisine. Beyond Seoul, the country offers extraordinary diversity: the island paradise of Jeju, the historic city of Gyeongju with its ancient Silla kingdom burial mounds, the vibrant port city of Busan, and countless national parks laced with hiking trails.

The Korean Wave — the global phenomenon of Korean pop culture — has introduced millions of people around the world to this country through its music, dramas, cinema, and food. But visitors who come expecting merely a K-pop fantasy discover something far richer: a deeply rooted culture with thousands of years of history, a cuisine of extraordinary depth and complexity, and a people whose legendary hospitality makes every visitor feel genuinely welcomed.

History & Background

The Korean Peninsula has been inhabited for thousands of years, with the Three Kingdoms period — Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla — shaping its early history from around the first century BCE. The Silla kingdom unified much of the peninsula in 668 CE, followed by the Goryeo dynasty, from which the name "Korea" derives. The Joseon dynasty, established in 1392, lasted over five centuries and profoundly shaped Korean language, culture, and philosophy through its adoption of Neo-Confucianism. This era produced the Korean alphabet, Hangul, invented under King Sejong the Great in 1443 — one of the most scientifically designed writing systems ever created.

The twentieth century brought profound trauma: Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945, followed immediately by the devastating Korean War of 1950–1953, which killed millions and left the peninsula divided along the 38th parallel. South Korea's subsequent rise from one of the world's poorest countries to its twelfth-largest economy within a single generation is often called the "Miracle on the Han River." This transformation, built on industrialisation, education, and extraordinary collective determination, underpins the confident, dynamic South Korea that visitors experience today.

Culture & People

Korean culture is shaped by thousands of years of Confucian philosophy, Buddhist tradition, and a fierce, hard-won national identity. Respect for elders and ancestors is deeply embedded in social life — Koreans use different speech levels depending on the age and status of the person they are addressing, and family hierarchies are taken seriously. At the same time, contemporary Korean society is dynamic, creative, and globally connected, with young Koreans leading trends in fashion, beauty, gaming, and entertainment that resonate around the world.

Traditional arts remain vibrantly alive alongside the modern. Samulnori drumming, pansori folk singing, taekwondo, and the intricately elegant gestures of court dance are performed at cultural centres and festivals throughout the year. The hanbok, the traditional Korean garment, is worn proudly at celebrations and increasingly as a fashionable cultural statement by younger Koreans. Korea's spiritual landscape encompasses Buddhism, Christianity, and Confucian ancestor worship practised simultaneously — a testament to the Korean capacity to hold multiple traditions in comfortable coexistence.

Food & Cuisine

Korean cuisine is one of the world's great culinary traditions, celebrated for its bold flavours, its emphasis on fermentation and gut health, and the communal joy of cooking and eating together. Kimchi — fermented napa cabbage with chilli, garlic, and ginger — is the beating heart of Korean food culture, appearing at virtually every meal as a banchan (side dish). The array of banchan that accompanies any Korean meal is staggering in its variety, from spinach seasoned with sesame oil to fishcake, braised lotus root, and pickled daikon.

Korean barbecue (gogi-gui), where diners grill marinated beef, pork belly, or chicken over a charcoal or gas grill built into the table, is an unmissable social experience. Bibimbap — a bowl of rice topped with vegetables, a fried egg, and gochujang paste — is both a daily staple and a dish of genuine artistry. Street food deserves its own exploration: tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), hotteok (sweet pancakes), odeng (fish cake skewers), and Korean fried chicken are among the best snacks in Asia. Seoul's Gwangjang Market is one of the world's great street food destinations.

Top Attractions

  • Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul — The grandest of Seoul's five royal palaces, rebuilt in its Joseon-era splendour, with daily guard-changing ceremonies and a superb National Folk Museum within its grounds.
  • Jeju Island — A volcanic island paradise with UNESCO-protected lava tube caves, the dramatic crater of Hallasan volcano, black sand beaches, and distinctive haenyeo (female free-diving) culture.
  • Gyeongju — The ancient capital of the Silla kingdom, dotted with royal burial tumuli, the UNESCO-listed Bulguksa temple, and the spectacular Seokguram grotto.
  • Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul — A well-preserved neighbourhood of traditional hanok courtyard houses perched on a hillside between two royal palaces, offering a glimpse of old Seoul.
  • Hahoe Folk Village, Andong — A UNESCO-listed living village where traditional clan houses and Confucian culture have been preserved for centuries, surrounded by a sweeping bend in the Nakdong River.
  • Seoraksan National Park — One of Korea's most dramatic landscapes, with granite peaks, autumn foliage, Buddhist hermitages, and excellent hiking trails in the country's northeast.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Get a T-money card on arrival — this rechargeable transport card works on Seoul's subway, buses, and even taxis, and saves you the hassle of buying individual tickets.
  • Download the Naver Maps app rather than relying solely on Google Maps; Naver Maps is far more accurate for Korean transit directions and local business locations.
  • Learn a few basic Korean phrases — even attempting "annyeonghaseyo" (hello) and "gamsahamnida" (thank you) is warmly appreciated and will generate genuine smiles.
  • Shoes come off at many traditional restaurants, home visits, and guesthouses; wear clean, easily removable footwear to avoid awkward moments.
  • Convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) are exceptional in Korea — clean, open 24 hours, with hot food, decent coffee, and ATMs that accept international cards.
  • Book popular hiking routes like Bukhansan in Seoul and Hallasan on Jeju in advance during autumn, as trail permits are required and fill up quickly.
  • Tipping is not customary in South Korea and can occasionally cause mild confusion; service charges are included in restaurant bills.

Visa Overview

South Korea offers visa-free entry to citizens of over 100 countries for stays of 30 to 90 days, including the USA, UK, EU nations, Australia, Canada, and Japan. Visitors must hold a valid passport and may be asked to show proof of onward travel and sufficient funds on arrival. An Electronic Travel Authorisation (K-ETA) is required for many visa-exempt nationals; check the Korea Immigration Service website well in advance, as K-ETA applications must be submitted online before departure. Citizens of countries not on the visa-free list must apply at a Korean embassy or consulate.

Getting Around

South Korea has one of the world's best public transport systems. Seoul's subway network is extensive, cheap, clean, and easy to navigate with English signage. High-speed KTX trains connect Seoul to Busan in about two and a half hours, with frequent daily departures. Intercity buses reach areas the rail network misses. Within cities, buses and taxis are affordable; KakaoTaxi is the go-to ride-hailing app. Domestic flights connect Seoul's Gimpo Airport to Jeju in under an hour. The T-money card provides seamless payment across almost all transport modes nationwide.

Safety Notes

South Korea is one of Asia's safest countries for travellers, with very low rates of violent crime and a well-functioning police presence. Petty theft is rare but not unknown in tourist-heavy areas and on public transport; standard precautions apply. Solo female travellers consistently rate South Korea as very safe. The main safety consideration is the geopolitical situation with North Korea — while the border area is carefully managed and attacks have not occurred in decades, stay informed of any alerts. Air quality in Seoul can be poor during spring dust events from China; check daily AQI readings.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in South Korea.

South Korean won (KRW) ₩
Updated: 2026-07-06
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.009101
AAVE 0.000007
ADA 0.003475
AED 0.002396
AFN 0.041477
AGIX 0.008362
AKT 0.001040
ALGO 0.007288
ALL 0.053476
AMD 0.240055
AMP 1.462591
ANG 0.001176
AOA 0.599138
APE 0.004654
APT 0.001043
AR 0.000327
ARB 0.008156
ARS 0.973712
ATOM 0.000413
ATS 0.007852
AUD 0.000942
AVAX 0.000094
AWG 0.001168
AXS 0.000646
AZM 5.545190
AZN 0.001109
BAKE 0.868217
BAM 0.001116
BAT 0.007407
BBD 0.001305
BCH 0.000003
BDT 0.080421
BEF 0.023019
BGN 0.001116
BHD 0.000245
BIF 1.942126
BMD 0.000652
BNB 0.000001
BND 0.000843
BOB 0.004519
BRL 0.003372
BSD 0.000652
BSV 0.000044
BSW 1.949165
BTC 0.000000
BTCB 0.012310
BTG 0.002261
BTN 0.062155
BTT 2,459.834909
BUSD 0.000652
BWP 0.008805
BYN 0.001894
BYR 12.787793
BZD 0.001314
CAD 0.000927
CAKE 0.000450
CDF 1.505188
CELO 0.009710
CFX 0.014582
CHF 0.000525
CHZ 0.036136
CLP 0.600968
CNH 0.004431
CNY 0.004429
COMP 0.000039
COP 2.180585
CRC 0.297279
CRO 0.010914
CRV 0.003052
CSPR 0.335908
CUC 0.000652
CUP 0.017290
CVE 0.062923
CVX 0.000542
CYP 0.000334
CZK 0.013801
DAI 0.000653
DASH 0.000019
DCR 0.000059
DEM 0.001116
DFI 0.785226
DJF 0.116183
DKK 0.004265
DOGE 0.008442
DOP 0.038664
DOT 0.000748
DYDX 0.004940
DZD 0.086762
EEK 0.008928
EGLD 0.000236
EGP 0.032046
ENJ 0.022542
EOS 0.009007
ERN 0.009786
ESP 0.094944
ETB 0.104351
ETC 0.000092
ETH 0.000000
EUR 0.000571
EURC 0.000571
FEI 0.000653
FIL 0.000826
FIM 0.003393
FJD 0.001465
FKP 0.000489
FLOW 0.023279
FLR 0.093855
FRAX 0.000659
FRF 0.003743
FTT 0.002739
GALA 0.284766
GBP 0.000489
GEL 0.001713
GGP 0.000489
GHC 74.116218
GHS 0.007412
GIP 0.000489
GMD 0.048109
GMX 0.000110
GNF 5.719726
GNO 0.000006
GRD 0.194440
GRT 0.034385
GT 0.000096
GTQ 0.004980
GUSD 0.000653
GYD 0.136552
HBAR 0.008640
HKD 0.005117
HNL 0.017466
HNT 0.002722
HOT 1.807826
HRK 0.004299
HT 0.018208
HTG 0.085392
HUF 0.201775
ICP 0.000296
IDR 11.737862
IEP 0.000449
ILS 0.001960
IMP 0.000489
IMX 0.004722
INJ 0.000134
INR 0.062155
IQD 0.855391
IRR 897.722607
ISK 0.082171
ITL 1.104883
JEP 0.000489
JMD 0.103351
JOD 0.000463
JPY 0.105587
KAS 0.021267
KAVA 0.014459
KCS 0.000090
KDA 0.111930
KES 0.084346
KGS 0.057060
KHR 2.615915
KMF 0.280729
KNC 0.005853
KPW 0.587195
KSM 0.000185
KWD 0.000202
KYD 0.000543
KZT 0.308406
LAK 14.749585
LBP 58.585535
LDO 0.002415
LEO 0.000070
LINK 0.000082
LKR 0.218477
LRC 0.053097
LRD 0.118487
LSL 0.010604
LTC 0.000014
LTL 0.001970
LUF 0.023019
LUNA 0.013284
LUNC 10.625842
LVL 0.000401
LYD 0.004185
MAD 0.006109
MANA 0.009376
MBX 0.025940
MDL 0.011483
MGA 2.768373
MGF 13.841863
MINA 0.013761
MKD 0.035151
MKR 0.000000
MMK 1.369549
MNT 2.338204
MOP 0.005270
MRO 0.260539
MRU 0.026054
MTL 0.000245
MUR 0.030666
MVR 0.010085
MWK 1.131634
MXN 0.011403
MXV 0.001293
MYR 0.002660
MZM 41.664934
MZN 0.041665
NAD 0.010604
NEAR 0.000327
NEO 0.000330
NEXO 0.000848
NFT 2,461.605594
NGN 0.893936
NIO 0.024015
NLG 0.001257
NOK 0.006417
NPR 0.099495
NZD 0.001147
OKB 0.000008
OMR 0.000251
ONE 0.521934
OP 0.006068
ORDI 0.000201
PAB 0.000652
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.002222
PEPE 239.179363
PGK 0.002870
PHP 0.040130
PI 0.005767
PKR 0.181497
PLN 0.002449
POL 0.008871
PTE 0.114400
PYG 3.968156
QAR 0.002375
QNT 0.000010
QTUM 0.000918
ROL 29.820882
RON 0.002982
RPL 0.000322
RSD 0.066930
RUB 0.050271
RUNE 0.001577
RVN 0.171177
RWF 0.956298
SAND 0.013075
SAR 0.002446
SBD 0.005279
SCR 0.009322
SDD 39.158520
SDG 0.391585
SEK 0.006297
SGD 0.000843
SHIB 149.002626
SHP 0.000489
SIT 0.136744
SKK 0.017191
SLE 0.014900
SLL 14.900221
SNX 0.002849
SOL 0.000008
SOS 0.372533
SPL 0.000109
SRD 0.024558
SRG 24.558422
SSP 3.098252
STD 14.084036
STN 0.014084
STX 0.003815
SUI 0.000873
SVC 0.005708
SYP 0.072115
SZL 0.010604
THB 0.021685
THETA 0.004650
TJS 0.006047
TMM 11.446547
TMT 0.002289
TND 0.001923
TOP 0.001571
TRL 30,541.244480
TRX 0.001987
TRY 0.030541
TTD 0.004420
TUSD 0.000654
TVD 0.000942
TWD 0.020935
TWT 0.001898
TZS 1.714187
UAH 0.029073
UGX 2.384116
UNI 0.000206
USD 0.000652
USDC 0.000653
USDD 0.000653
USDP 0.000654
USDT 0.000653
UYU 0.026257
UZS 7.807496
VAL 1.104883
VEB 42,041,582.676798
VED 0.420378
VEF 42,037.839725
VES 0.420378
VET 0.138289
VND 17.157610
VUV 0.078410
WAVES 0.002455
WEMIX 0.002520
WOO 0.055097
WST 0.001804
XAF 0.374305
XAG 0.000011
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.001766
XCG 0.001176
XCH 0.000414
XDC 0.023217
XDR 0.000481
XEC 122.813737
XEM 1.523914
XLM 0.003268
XMR 0.000002
XOF 0.374305
XPD 0.000001
XPF 0.068094
XPT 0.000000
XRP 0.000570
XTZ 0.002622
YER 0.154609
ZAR 0.010604
ZEC 0.000001
ZIL 0.211481
ZMK 11.970638
ZMW 0.011971
ZWD 0.236095
ZWG 0.017499
ZWL 43.725279

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Cities in South Korea 212
Browse all cities and towns
Aeweol Andong Angang Ansan Ansan Anseong Anyang Anyang Anyang-Si Anyang-Si Anyangsi Asan Bucheon Buchon Buchun-Si Bundang Busan Byeoryangdong Changweon Changwon Chechon Cheju Cheonan Cheongju Cheongwon-gun Cheonju Chincheon Chinhae Chinju Chinyeong Chochiwon Chonan Chongok Chongup Chuncheon Chungcheong Chungju Daegu Daejeon Dalseo-gu Danjin-gun Dongan-gu Euijeongbu Euiwang Eumsung-Kun Geumsan-Gun Gimhae Gimhae-si Gimpo City Gongjusi Goyang Goyang-si Gumi-Shi Gunpo Gupo-si Guri-Si Gwacheon Si Gwangju-Si Haenam Hanam Hayang Heunghae Heungup-Myun Hoechon Hoengseong Hongcheon Hongseong Hwado Hwaseong-si Hwasun Hwasung Hwawon Icheon-si Ichon Iksan Iljuk-myeon Incheon Inchon Jeju Jeonju-Si Jincheon-gun Jinchunkun Kanghwa Kangneung Keoje Kihung Kijang Kimcheon Kimhae Kimje Kimpo Kochang Kochang Kongju Koseong Koyang Kumchon Kumi Kumsan Kunpo Kunsan Kuri Kwacheon Kwangju Kwangju Kwangju Kwangmyeong Kwangyang Kwangyang Up Kyeongju Kyeongsan Kyungsan Masan Miryang Mokpo Mummakeup Mungyong Munsan Naeso Naju Namdongku Namwon Namyangju Nongso Nonsan Ochon Oedong Okcheon-gun Okchon Osan Paengseong Paju Paju Peolgyo Pocheon-Si Pochon Pochun Pohang Poryong Puan Pubal Pucheon Pusan Pusan Puyeo Pyeongtaek Sacheon Samchok Sangju Seogwipo Seokcho Seonghwan Seongnam Seongnam Seonsan Seosan Seoul Shiheung Shihung-Si Siheung Sihung-si Sinhyeon Suncheon Sungnamshi Suweon Suwon Suwon Taean Taean Taebaek Taegu Taejeon Taejon Taesan Tangjin Tongducheon Tonghae Tongyong Uijeongbu-dong Uijongbu Uiwang Ulsan Um Sung Gun Ungsang Wabu Waegwan Weonju Wonju Yangju Yangju Yangju Yangju Yangpyeong-Gun Yangsan Yangu Yechon Yeocheon Yeoju Yeokbuk-Dong-Si Yeongcheon Yeongju Yeongpyeong-Dong Yeongweol Yeonil Yeosu Yesan Yongdong Yonggi Yonggwang Yongin Yonmu Youngcheon-Si

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of South Korea needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of South Korea?
The capital of South Korea is Seoul.
What currency does South Korea use?
South Korea uses the South Korean won (₩) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in South Korea?
The official language(s) of South Korea include Korean.
What is the population of South Korea?
South Korea has a population of approximately 51,159,889 people.
What region is South Korea in?
South Korea is located in Asia, specifically in the Eastern Asia subregion.
What is the international calling code for South Korea?
The international dialing code for South Korea is +82.
What time zones does South Korea observe?
South Korea observes the following time zone(s): UTC+09:00.
What is the current time in South Korea?
The local time in South Korea is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of South Korea?
South Korea covers a total area of 100,210 km².
How many states or provinces does South Korea have?
South Korea is divided into 35 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in South Korea in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for South Korea in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of South Korea?
Visa requirements for citizens of South Korea vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.