Includes information on business customs, travel advisory, visa requirements, currency, language, health, local time, business hours and holidays, acceptable business etiquette, dress, business cards, gifts, temporary entry of materials and personal belongings,etc.
Last Published: 8/29/2019

Business Customs

Knowledge of Korean history and culture is essential for U.S. businesses hoping to succeed in the country.
Korean history is characterized by a series of rich dynasties and conquests by neighboring East Asian countries, particularly Japan and China. In 1910, Japan annexed Korea and established a 35-year long period of colonial rule lasting until the surrender of Japan at the end of World War II. Following Japan's surrender in 1945, the Korean Peninsula was divided at the 38th parallel into two occupation zones, with the U.S. in the South and the Soviet Union in the North. Despite initial hopes for reunification, the northern Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Republic of Korea in the south soon became engulfed in a civil war (1950-1953), and the Peninsula has remained divided since.

Following the Korean War, Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world. However, due to the expertise of chaebols (conglomerates) and development of heavy industry, Korea was able to achieve significant growth and transform into what is now one of the largest modern economies in the world.

Today, Korea boasts significant strengths across multiple industries. While Korea’s historic heavy industries remain strong, the country is now known for being home to world-acclaimed electronic appliances, award-winning cars, and smart phones. Korean popular culture, including idol bands and television dramas, has captured the hearts of fans worldwide in a phenomenon know as Hallyu, or the “Korean Wave.” Korea has also hosted numerous global events such as the Summer Olympics (1988), the Soccer World Cup (2002; along with Japan), the G-20 Leaders Summit (2010), and the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang (http://www.export.gov/southkorea/pyeongchangolympics/index.asp).  These major events, a source of pride and accomplishment, have intensified Korea’s push to have a first-rate infrastructure, hospitality, and transportation system.

Seoul, the capital of Korea, is a lively cosmopolitan city. The city is divided by the Han River, which can be crossed by 27 bridges. Most international flights arrive at the award-winning Incheon Airport, which is located about one hour from the city center. The airport and U.S. Embassy are located on the north side of the Han River. Traffic congestion, a persistent problem in Seoul, must be factored into arriving on-time for business appointments. Punctuality is critical when conducting business in Korea, so you should plan to arrive at least 20 minutes early to any meetings or appointments.

Other important business success factoids:
  • Last names and titles: Always use Mr., Mrs., or any title (like Director) followed by the last name.  Also appropriate is: Mr. LEE (last name, followed by the first name) Ji-hoon (two syllables of the first name); in this order.
  • Business cards: Your business cards say a lot about you and your business and are extremely important in Asian and Korean cultures.  Hand them out using both hands (thumbs at the top corners of your card) while giving a gentle and slight bow, while avoiding too much direct eye contact.  Never put a newly-received business card away or in your back pocket.  Rather, look at it for a moment and place it on the desk or table where you are meeting.  Bilingual cards are best.
  • Handshakes: Unlike the firm Western-style handshake, a Korean’s handshake is typically more gentle.
  • Cold calls are generally unacceptable and seen as culturally inappropriate and disrespectful.
  • Negotiating: A rigid negotiating style does not work in Korea.  Koreans interpret contracts as loosely structured consensus statements, broadly defining what has been negotiated/discussed, but leaving room to permit flexibility and adjustment.  Koreans are subtle and effective negotiators.  See Chapter 3 of this guide for additional insights into negotiating.
  • Two phrases that you should know in Korean are: 
    • Ann-yong-ha-sayo –  Hello
    • Gam-sa-ham-nida –  Thank you

Travel Advisory


Consult: U.S. State Department
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/south-korea-travel-advisory.html
 

Visa Requirements

Visa Requirements for U.S. Citizens
  • No visa is needed for a stay of up to 90 days if the purpose of the trip is for tourism, business meetings, visiting families or relatives.
  • A stay of over 90 days requires a visa.
If planning to stay more than 90 days or for any purpose other than tourism or business, U.S. passport holders must obtain a visa prior to entering Korea.  For U.S. citizens, a five-year valid multiple entry F-4 visa is issued.  This visa holder can stay up to 2 years each time he/she visits the Republic of Korea, until their visa expires. 

Americans coming to Korea for activities such as employment, teaching English, or study must obtain a visa at a Korean embassy or consulate abroad.

For information about visas to Korea, please also see the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs website at: http://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-en/index.do.  

U.S. companies that require the travel of foreign business representatives to the United States should be advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process.  Visa applicants should go to the following link: https://kr.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/

Currency

  • Cards with the Visa, Mastercard, Plus and Cirrus logos are the most widely accepted in Korea.
  • CDs (Cash Dispenser Machines) only offer cash withdrawal services.
  • CD machines located in: subway stations, bus terminals, and department stores.
  • ATMs offer withdrawals, deposits and fund transfers.
  • ATM transactions require an account with a Korean bank.
  • Paying via credit card on a Korean website generally requires credit cards issued by Korean banks.
  • Prominent Korean banks include: Korea Exchange Bank (KEB), Shinhan Bank, and Citibank.
  • Questions about ATM/CD machines while in Korea: call 1330.
  • The symbol for Korean currency (won) is written using “W” or “KRW.”
 

Telecommunications/Electric

  • Local calls
    • Dial the 7 or 8-digit local phone number within the same province or city. 
    • Dial the 9 or 11-digit local phone number, including the area code, to a different province or city.
    • There are 17 area codes as follows:
Seoul
02		Busan
051		Daegu
053		Incheon
032		Gwangju
062		Daejeon
042
Ulsan
052		Sejong
044		Gyeonggi
031		Gangwon
033		Chungbuk
043		Chungnam
041
Jeonbuk
063		Jeonnam
061		Kyungbuk
054		Kyungnam
055		Jeju
061		 
 
  • International calls
    • Dial 00799 for a service that features: station-to-station calls, collect or reverse charge calls, and calls providing interpretation.
    • For direct calls dial 001/002/00700 and country code, area code then subscriber’s number.
  • Rent a mobile phone at kiosk, Incheon International Airport and/or contact numbers of these providers are:
    • SK Telecom: 82-2-6343-9000
    • KT Olleh: 82-2-2190-0901
    • LGU+: 82-2-3416-7010
  • Roaming and wireless internet
    • Consult your U.S. service provider to determine if your cell phone and plan will work in Korea.  Beware of roaming and affiliated charges.
    • Wi-Fi service is available and accessible in most of areas including subway, hotels, shopping areas, restaurants, coffee shops, etc.
 

Transportation

Transportation
  • From Incheon International Airport (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) to Downtown Seoul:
    • Train (AREX)
      • Direct railway links from the Incheon Airport to Seoul Station.
      • Takes 51 minutes (from Incheon Airport Terminal 2), and 43 minutes (from Incheon Airport Terminal 1), to Seoul Station. For departure and arrival time table, please refer to: https://www.arex.or.kr
      • Express Train Cost: W9,000 (approx. $8).
    • Take the subway (inexpensive option) or taxi to your hotel from Seoul Station
    • Airport Buses
    • Taxis

Other Transportation Recommendations    

Language

  • Korean (Hangul) is the official and accepted business language.
  • Many Koreans in tourism and first-tier retail sales speak some English.
 

Health

  • Dial 1339 for the Emergency Medical Information Center; trained medical personnel are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Most hotels will assist you if you are sick. Call the front desk.
  • You can purchase simple medications, such as Tylenol, Band-Aids, ointments and cold medication in pharmacies or in any general or “24-hour stores.”  For other medications, you will need a prescription from a doctor.
  • International clinics at large prominent hospitals in Seoul include:
      • Severance Hospital (02-2228-5800):134, Sinchong-dong, Seodaemun-gu
      • Asan Medical Center (02-3010-5001): 388-1, Pungnap-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul
      • Samsung Medical Center (02-3410-0200): 50, Irwon-dong, Gangnam-gu
For international health advisories related to Korea, please visit the CDC website at: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/south-korea.htm

Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays

Local Time Zone Business Hours and Lunch Hours
  • Offices and organizations: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; closed weekends and national holidays
  • Banks: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; closed weekends and national holidays
  • Department stores: 10:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
  • Koreans typically eat lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., requiring luncheon reservations even for the smallest restaurants.  You can avoid lines and crowds by taking lunch before or after this period.
Holidays
Observed Korean Holidays – 2019
New Year’s Day: January 1stIndependence Day: August 15th
Lunar New Year’s Day: February 4th, 5th, 6thChuseok: September 12th and 13th
Independence Movement Day: March 1st National Foundation Day: October 3rd
Children’s Day: May 6thKorean Alphabet Day: October 9th
Memorial Day: June 6thChristmas: December 25th
   

Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings

Prohibited Items
  • Narcotics/illegal drugs of any kind
  • Pornography and subversive material
  • Products originating from Communist countries
  • Explosives, ammunitions and weapons
  • Rifles/sport guns (require permission from Korean Police prior to import, declaration upon arrival)
  • Counterfeit money and coins

Articles in Excess of Duty-Free Allowance
Coming into Korea, consult: http://www.korea4expats.com/article-entering-korea-immigration-customs.html
Returning to the U.S., consult: http://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens and http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information

Web Resources

Affordable hotels: https://www.benikea.com/main.do

Airport Bus: http://www.airportlimousine.co.kr/eng/lbr/lbr02_1.php   

Currency: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/AK/AK_EN_1_5_4.jsp  

Holidays: https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/?year=2019$country=70   

Incheon Int’l Airport: https://www.airport.kr/ap/en/index.do

Korean Embassy. in U.S.: http://usa.mofa.go.kr/english/am/usa/main/index.jsp

Korean Railroad: http://info.korail.com/mbs/english/index.jsp

M Pass: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TR/TR_EN_5_4.jsp#M-PASS

Returning to the U.S: http://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens

Subway Map: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TR/TR_EN_5_1_4.jsp

Taxi: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/TR/TR_EN_5_2.jsp

Time Zone: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html

U.S. State Dept.: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/SouthKorea.html

U.S. Customs: http://www.cbp.gov

U.S. Embassy Seoul Consular Section: https://kr.usembassy.gov

Visas: http://usa.mofa.go.kr/english/am/usa/visa/Visa/index.jsp

Weather: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/AK/AK_EN_1_1_2.jsp

Prepared by the International Trade Administration. With its network of more than 100 offices across the United States and in more than 75 markets, the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.