Practical Korea

How things work in practice, from official procedures.

  1. A modern restaurant dining area with round upholstered booths, marble flooring, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a city skyline.

    practical guide

    What to Know Before Booking Crab 52, Seoul's High-Priced Buffet

    The 52nd-floor buffet at Trade Tower charges $200 for adults and $100 for children, settled in won at a daily exchange rate.

  2. Interior of a clothing boutique with racks of dark garments, tote bags printed with the store's name, and a customer at the checkout counter.

    practical guide

    How to Reach Hannam's Shopping Strip, and What's There

    Transit routes and store details for Seoul's Hannam shopping district, from subway access to rotating store lineups.

  3. A nighttime aerial view of Seoul's skyline showing illuminated skyscrapers with Namsan Tower visible on a hill in the background.

    practical guide

    Pre-Registration Now Open for Smart Life Week 2026 in Seoul

    The Seoul Metropolitan Government has opened pre-registration for Smart Life Week 2026 through the official event website, with free admission for those who sign up.

  4. A wooden staircase boardwalk winds uphill through a sunlit, lush green forest with railings on either side.

    practical guide

    Seoul Trail Route 9 Winds Through Forest From Suseo Station to Maeheon

    The 10.7-kilometer route along Daemosan and Guryongsan Mountains takes about 4 hours and 50 minutes to complete on foot.

  5. practical guide

    K-ETA Notice: Gmail Users May Face Email Delays

    Korea Immigration Service warns that Gmail addresses used for K-ETA applications may experience reception delays, with similar issues possible for other U.S.-based email services.

  6. practical guide

    K-ETA Exemption Extended Through December 31, 2026

    The Ministry of Justice has extended the K-ETA exemption for currently exempt countries and regions by one more year.