Alcohol in Korean life 1 Sul, the general purpose Korean word for all types of alcohol, is a much more romantic and culturally meaningful word than its English language equivalent, alcohol. Sul implies a culture, a sharing between friends, whereas the English “alcohol” can be somewhat scientific or cold, or even damning. “A pint,” in the…
Timeless beauty of Goryeo celadon wows visitors “Blue as jasper, bright as crystal.” So said Yi Gyu-bo (1168-1241), a renowned literary servant and scholar from the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392), when he praised the beauty of Goryeo celadon in one of his writings. Goryeo celadon seems to hold a mysterious beauty thanks to its…
Korean folk belief Korean folk belief Korean folk belief Between the Old and New Singugan (Kor. 신구간, Chin. 新舊間, lit. between the old and new) is the approximately one-week long period from the fifth day after the solar term Daehan (Kor. 대한, Chin. 大寒, Great Cold) to the third day before the solar term Ipchun (Kor.…
Buddhist Instruments and Symbols in Korean Buddhism Korean Temples generally have a two-story tower, which visitors can see upon entering the gate. There are four major Buddhist instruments to announce the time for monks to practice their daily rites. The four instruments are the dharma drum, the wooden fish, the cloud-shaped gong, and…
Postal serivce Any visitor to a foreign country may naturally want to send postcards or letters to friends and family back home. Ten years ago, it was easy for travelers to find the red mailboxes on the street and in buildings. Finding a mailbox today is a bit difficult because of the Internet…
Korea has four distinct seasons Korea has four distinct seasons: spring (March-May), summer (June-August), fall (September-November), and winter (December-February). The changing of seasons also means changing of attires. With temperatures varying greatly by season, it is important to dress for the weather. Here are the essential items for each season.] Spring (March…
Economic Situation On the basis of Korea’s recovery from the global financial crisis, the government has been continuously making efforts to strengthen the groundwork for long-term growth and boost the real economy. Miracle on the Hangang River ‘Miracle on the Hangang River’ refers to the miraculous economic growth that has transformed South Korea…
Korean Visa and Immigration Service Entry into the Republic of Korea People who want to enter the Republic of Korea need to carry a valid passport and visa issued by the Ministry of Justice. While in the country, be sure to check the expiration dates of your passport and visa to avoid any…
Job seekers from foreign countries Recently, the number of job seekers from foreign countries has been increasing, and many foreign nationals look for jobs after studying in Korea or marrying a Korean. Qualifications for foreign nationals who want to be legally employed in Korea are specified in the Korean Immigration Control Act. Job…
Hospitals: Clinics & General Hospitals There are two kinds of medical institutions in Korea. Primary health care organizations include neighborhood clinics, public health centers and small hospitals for common ailments such as the flu and digestion-related conditions. Specialized or university hospitals (general hospitals) are secondary care organizations that attend to more severe conditions…
