Visiting the capital city of Seoul as a foreigner for business or leisure is relatively easy. Aside from the Korean language, most Koreans are familiar with basic English. Also, public transport announcements and road signs are in both languages.
Seoul is a modern city, rated the second-highest quality of life in by Arcadis. The low crime rates and rare violence make Seoul a safe city to visit for anyone, also when traveling alone. Still, some people request for travel preparation or bodyguard services in Seoul. That is mainly because of the tension level due to the separation from North Korea since and the cultural differences. Please let us explain.
Key industries include technology Samsung and LG , finance Korea Exchange and Bank of Korea headquarters , and manufacturing electronics, cars, printing, publishing, and food and beverages. Yet, Seoul is also your destination for shopping and tourism. It offers an abundance of retail department stores, shopping malls, and markets , and you have plenty of entertainment. The city is known for its restaurants, museums, and, of course, karaoke. When visiting the city, you should remember that Koreans have different manners and etiquette when doing business and socializing.
This is because Koreans value their unique traditions and customs that have evolved over centuries. Some of the specific aspects include:. This ended in with a suspension of arms, but no formal peace treaty was signed. Technically, both countries are still at war, and severe incidents have occurred. Due to periodic missile tests executed by North Korea often without notice , South Korea is sometimes under a high level of tension. Also, South Korean and US military troops conduct exercises throughout the year.
This affects the daily life of citizens. You may occasionally encounter a civil emergency exercise held by the South Korean authorities. Therefore, consult with Korean officials to understand contingency procedures. This will prepare you well for your holiday or business trip and offer you the personal assistance you require.
