Local Election Day

📣 Traveler notes

South Korea is a wealthy East Asian nation, noted for blending modern technological advancements with deep historical and traditional culture. K-pop and popular culture are major international attractions.

• Major Korean holidays (e.g., Lunar New Year, Chuseok) can result in highly crowded transportation as people return to their hometowns.
• Government offices and banks generally close on most public holidays.
• Korean New Year (Seollal) is a three-day public holiday period involving family gatherings and potential business closures.
• Independence Movement Day (March 1) commemorates the 1919 resistance against Japanese colonial rule.
• Use designated Korean utensils (metal chopsticks, spoons). Wait for the eldest person to begin eating. Avoid excessive noise and do not leave chopsticks standing upright in rice.