General Information for WRI seminar

Entering South Korea

Visa

Citizens from many countries can enter South Korea without visa.
For countries requiring visa such as Russia, you can get visa from a South Korean Embassy in your country or nearby countries. Invitation letter may be of help to get visa. If you need an invitation letter, please send out an email to jyuk@jinbo.net including your personal information (address, telephone number and occupation) until 15 May 2005.

For more information on visa, go to http://www.mofat.go.kr/en/visa/e_visa.mof

For information on South Korean embassy, go to http://www.mofat.go.kr/mission/missions_map_en.mof

Countries requiring South Korean visa (30 countries)

Country which has no diplomatic ties with South Korea (1) : Cuba
Countries separated from the former Soviet Union (12) : Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan
Countries separated from the former Yugoslavia (2) : Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia (not authorized)
Other countries (14) : China, Mongolia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Philippines, Nepal, Iran, India, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Ghana, Burma, Palestine,

Currency

The unit of the South Korean currency is the won. There are 3 kinds of bank notes - 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 won, and 4 kinds of coins - 500, 100, 50 and 10 won. Exchange rates : 1 US$ is approximately 1,000 won, 1 EUR is approximately 1,300 won. You can exchange to the won at the airport or banks in Seoul.

Climate

The summer of Korea is very hot and humid. Sometimes, it rains a lot. When it rains, the temperature drops a bit, it's a good idea to have a thin long-sleeve shirts ready. There are many mosquitos, too. For more general information on Korea, go to http://www.airport.or.kr/Eng/travel/travel.jsp or http://english.tour2korea.com/

How to get to the international seminar location (Bongdo center in Woo-yee-dong, Seoul)

If you come to Korea via airplane, you'll arrive at the Incheon international airport. (Entering South Korea through land is out of the question) From the airport, you can take airport bus or taxi to get Seoul. The Bongdo center is located at an north-east end of Seoul.

Using airport bus
The airport bus number is 602-1. It's very important to remember the number so that you can get on the right bus. Get out of the airport building to find the bus stop 5B (via exit 5) or bus stop 12A (via exit 12). Wait for 602-1 bus to arrive. The bus runs through An-kook-dong, and Tae-hak-no for Don-am-dong (Sungshin Womens University). The last stop of the bus route is Don-am-dong. Get off at the last stop. It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes from the airport.
For more information about airport bus system, go to http://www.airport.or.kr/Eng/transportation/bus.jsp
Please note that bus fare is 7,000 won. Bus drivers speak minimum English. The location of Bongdo center is around Woo-yee-dong retreat area, called Woo Yee Yoo Won Ji. The entrance for Do-sun-sa temple, a famous Buddhist temple is also around there. From Don-am-dong where you get off the airport bus to Woo Yee Yoo Won Ji, you can take either bus or taxi.
- If you choose to take taxi, you can get one near the bus stop. You might want to walk a little bit away from the bus stop so that the bus has a room to stop. Tell taxi driver that you want to go to "Woo Yee Yoo Won Ji," or "Woo-yee-dong Do-sun-sa Yipku" It will take 30 minutes and cost around 6,000 won (You can pay the price that says on the meter)
- Bus is cheaper. From the same stop where you just get off, take 101 or 151 (bus color is blue). The last stop of the bus 101 or 151 is Woo Yee Yoo Won Ji (or Woo-yee-dong Do-sun-sa Yipku, Yipku means entrance). It takes 40 minutes for the bus to the last stop. Bus fare is 900 won. Ready to have a 1,000 won paper money and you will get a 100 won coin for change. If you have a lot of baggage with you, taxi may be a more convenience choice. But it's still okay to have some heavy stuff carrying with you as you get on bus as long as it's not too big.
Using taxi
In front of exit 7 of the Incheon airport, there is the taxi stop 18, which is for regular taxi. If you are very rich and willing to pay much money, why not try the deluxe taxi at taxi stop 21 in front of exit 11. From the airport to directly to the Woo Yee Yoo Won Ji, it costs about 50,000 won for regular taxi, 90,000 won for deluxe taxi. Go to http://www.airport.or.kr/Eng/transportation/taxi.jsp for more information about airport taxi.

Now, you are finally standing at Woo Yee Yoo Won Ji, or Woo-yee-dong Do-sun-sa Yipku. At the end of the asphalt road is the arch-looking entrance for retreat area. Walk 200m through the arch, you will see the Bongdo center. (See below map) If you are not sure how to get to the center, call Dope at 018-351-7271.

Facilities

Bongdo center is located in the Bukhansan National Park. It is run by Won Buddhism, so driking inside the center is not allowed. Rooms are communally shared by 8 people or 12 people. There is no single room. There is a hotel nearby, but it's pretty expensive (100,000 won ¡Ö 100US$ per one night). There are also two motels about 20-30 minutes walking distance, which charge about 20-30US$ (as is common for this kind of accommodation in Korea, they double up as love motels, but that doesn't need to bother you). To our regret It was said that we couldn't use personal tents in the center facilities. (In fact, we talked them into letting us use up to 5 tents) There is no beds in the room. If the temperature drops at night, the room floor will get hot, it's called 'Ondol' heating system, but not necessary in summer. Blankets and pillows are provided.
Meals are all Korean vegetarian food (rice, soup and side dishes). You have to have your own towel and stuff for washing yourself.

Feel free to email us at jyuk@jinbo.net for any questions and information. Thank you.