South Korea

South Korea sits in East Asia, sharing its only land border with North Korea to the north, with Japan across the Korea Strait to the east and China across the Yellow Sea to the west. The capital, Seoul, holds roughly half the country's population in its metropolitan area. Korean is the sole official language; the won (KRW) is the currency. The country blends a Confucian-influenced social culture with one of the world's most digitally connected economies.

Many nationalities — including most European, North American, and Southeast Asian passport holders — can enter South Korea visa-free for stays typically ranging from 30 to 90 days. South Korea operates the K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) system for eligible nationalities; travellers should verify current requirements through official government channels before departure.

Gyeongbokgung Palace in central Seoul, the largest of the five Joseon-era royal palaces, anchors the city's historic core. Jeju Island offers volcanic craters, lava-tube caves, and Hallasan, the country's highest peak. The ancient city of Gyeongju preserves royal Silla tombs as grassy mounds rising from suburban streets. Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul contains hundreds of preserved traditional wooden courtyard homes. The DMZ — the demilitarised zone bisecting the peninsula — is one of the world's most visited border regions.

South Korea has a continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers (June–August) are hot and humid, with temperatures regularly reaching 30–35 °C and a monsoon period in July. Winters (December–February) are cold and dry, particularly inland, where temperatures can drop to −10 °C or below in Seoul. Spring and autumn are mild, clear, and widely considered the best seasons to visit. Pack layers for spring and autumn; expect rain gear in summer.

• Home to the world's fastest average internet speeds.
• Taekwondo originated here and is an Olympic sport.
• South Korea has 16 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• The Han River bisects Seoul across roughly 40 kilometres.
• Kimchi production is UNESCO-listed intangible cultural heritage.

• visitkorea.or.kr — Korea Tourism Organization's official tourism portal
• english.mofa.go.kr — Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visa and entry information
• k-eta.go.kr — official Korea Electronic Travel Authorization application
• kma.go.kr — Korea Meteorological Administration, national weather service
• letskorail.com — official booking site for Korea Train Express (KTX) and national rail