Things to Know About Seoul, the Capital of South Korea

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Things to Know About Seoul, the Capital of South Korea

The capital of South Korea, Seoul, has special city status and its official name is Seoul Special City. Seoul, the largest city in South Korea, is the country's most populous city with a population of 9,975,709. With an area of ​​605 square kilometers, Seoul is the 37th largest city in South Korea in terms of area.

The rest of the article will include information you need to know about Seoul, the capital of South Korea.

Where is Seoul?

Seoul is located in the northwest of South Korea. Seoul is 14 km from Gwangmyeong, 16 km from Guri, 16 km from Goyang, 19 km from Anyang, 20 km from Seongnam, 20 km from Bucheon, 20 km from Uijeongbu, 22 km from Namyangju, and 23 km from Gunpo. The city of Seoul is built around the Han River, the second longest river in South Korea.

What is the area of ​​Seoul, Korea?

The capital of South Korea, Seoul, has an area of ​​605 square kilometers. Seoul is the 37th largest city in South Korea in terms of area.

What is the population of Seoul?

According to the data of the worldpopulationreview website, the population of Seoul is 9,975,709 as of 2022.

What is the climate like in Seoul?

The climate in Seoul is humid continental. Summers in Seoul are hot and humid, while winters are cold and relatively less humid. The hottest month in Seoul is August, with an average temperature of 25 °C; the coldest month is January, with an average temperature of -2.4 °C. July and August are the rainiest months in Seoul. Snow falls in Seoul during the winter months, about 24 days a year.

What is the History of Seoul?

The first settlements in the Seoul area, the capital of South Korea, date back to 4000 BC. Seoul was declared the capital in the 14th century and served as the capital of the Korean Kingdom during the Joseon Dynasty. When South Korea became a protectorate of Japan in 1910, Seoul was renamed "Kyangsang". In 1945, when South Korea declared independence, the city was renamed Seoul, meaning "capital", and in 1949 it was given special city status.

Built around the Han River, Seoul has historically been the most developed city in Korea socially, culturally and economically, and geographically located at the heart of the country, and has been the capital of South Korea for many years.

What are the Living Standards Like in Seoul?

Seoul is the most prosperous and developed city in South Korea. According to Numbeo website data, Seoul is a city with very high standards in terms of security and health services, and average standards in terms of purchasing power and climate.

Seoul is a city considered to have high standards in terms of living costs and city traffic. While many metropolitan cities in South Korea have high standards in terms of safety, health and education, Seoul is the South Korean city with the highest living costs and the highest ratio of property prices to purchasing power.

What Kind of City is Seoul in Terms of Job Opportunities?

Seoul is one of the most important cities in South Korea in terms of job opportunities. The service sector is the sector with the most job opportunities in Seoul. After the service sector, the manufacturing industry has the most job opportunities in Seoul.

Teaching foreign languages ​​is a popular profession for foreign nationals in Seoul. Technology companies such as LG, Hyundai, Samsung also offer job opportunities in the technology field. Seoul is one of the world's leading business centers.

What are the Education Opportunities Like in Seoul, South Korea?

There are many quality education opportunities in Seoul, South Korea. Although the South Korean education system is praised, foreign nationals who move to Seoul often send their children to private schools because the education system is Korean.

Seoul is home to nearly 40 universities, including internationally renowned Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University. Seoul National University was ranked 29th best university in the world by the QS World University Rankings.

Due to the low birth rates in South Korea, many Seoul universities have made it their mission to fill the vacant quotas with international students. Seoul universities are preferred by students who want to receive international education due to their quality and relatively cheap education opportunities and many Seoul universities' world rankings.

Seoul, home to Seoul National University (SKY), Korea University, and Yonsei University, is the city where the most prestigious universities in South Korea are located.

Which Universities Are Located in Seoul?

Seoul is home to around 50 universities, including some of the most prestigious in South Korea.

Seoul universities are listed below.

• Seoul National University
• Sogang University
• Korea University
• Yonsei University
• Ewha Womans University
• Hanyang University
• Sungkyunkwan University
• Kyung Hee University
• Chung Ang University
• Konkuk University
• Hankuk University for Foreign Students
• Seoul National University of Science and Technology
• Soongsil University
• Catholic University of Korea
• Sejong University
• Kookmin University
• Dongguk University
• University of Seoul
• Hongik University
• Korea National University of Arts
• Sungshin University
• Kwangwoon University
• Sangmyung University
• Hansung University
• Seokyeong University
• Duksung Women's University
• Shahmyook University
• Chugye University of Arts
• Sungkonghoe University
• Dongduk Women's University
• Korea Christian University
• Seoul National University of Education
• Chongshin University
• Presbyterian University of Religious Education
• Korea National Sport University
• Seoul Christian University

What is Healthcare Like in Seoul, Korea?

The healthcare system in Seoul, Korea, is at par with Western countries. In many hospitals in Seoul, staff speak English. All South Korean citizens and those staying in the country for more than 6 months are subject to the national health insurance system.

Seoul is a preferred city in the context of health tourism. Affordable treatment costs, high-quality health services, short waiting times make Seoul a preferred city for foreigners.

Seoul is the most preferred city in South Korea in terms of health services. The so-called “Big Five Hospitals” Samsung Medical Center, Asan Medical Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Severance Hospital, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital are located in Seoul.

According to Numbeo, private health insurance in Seoul costs $1,332 per person per year, while health insurance for the whole family costs $3,950 per year. People who stay in South Korea for more than 6 months must register with the South Korean health system.

Is Seoul Expensive?

Seoul is an expensive city. According to CNN, Seoul is the 10th most expensive city in the world. Seoul, which has been among the 10 most expensive cities in the world for many years, is the most expensive city in South Korea. Seoul has a higher cost of living compared to other South Korean cities such as Busan, Incheon, Daegu, Daejeon, and Gwangju.

What Are the Costs of Living in Seoul, Korea?

The cost of living in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is high.

In Seoul city center, an average 1+1 apartment costs around $837, and a 3+1 apartment costs around $2,558. In Seoul; considering basic needs such as groceries, transportation, food and drink, the monthly expense of a family of 4 is around $4,050, excluding rent, and around $1,112 for a single person. Seoul is the city with the highest cost of living in South Korea.

What Are Seoul House Prices Like in 2022?

In 2022, Seoul, South Korea house prices have doubled in the last 5 years, with house prices increasing as you get closer to the city center and the number of rooms increases.

Seoul, Korea rental house prices are around $840 for a 1+1 apartment in the city center, $2,590 for a 3+1 apartment; $560 for a 1+1 apartment away from the city center, and $1,650 for a 3+1 apartment. Seoul, Korea sale house prices per square meter are around $22,830 in the city center and $11,145 outside the city center.

Seoul is the most expensive city in South Korea in terms of housing prices. People living in Seoul pay the highest rents in the country in terms of housing prices in South Korea.

What Are Seoul Market Prices Like?

Seoul is the most expensive city in Korea in terms of grocery prices. While the average price of 500g of bread in Seoul is not much different from other provinces, the prices of fruits, vegetables, beverages and meat are on average 30% to over 100% higher compared to other Korean cities.

Monthly grocery shopping in South Korea costs around $70. Seoul is the most expensive South Korean city in terms of grocery prices.

What Are the Transportation Conditions Like in Seoul, Korea?

Transportation conditions in Seoul, Korea are quite developed. There are public transportation options in Seoul, such as buses and subways. Bus and subway payments in Seoul are made with the smart payment card T-money transportation card. Tourists can also buy a Korean tour card to use public transportation in Seoul. The T-money card costs $1.93, and the Korean tour card costs $3.08.

As of June 2022, a liter of gasoline for private vehicles in Seoul is around $1.64. Seoul offers many transportation options for out-of-town transportation, such as air, bus, subway and train. Those who want to go to Busan, a city far from Seoul, can take a train or bus, and those who want to go to Incheon, a city close by, can take the subway.

How to Get from Seoul to Busan?

There are many ways to get from Seoul to Busan. The distance between Seoul and Busan is 325 km. You can travel from Seoul to Busan by train, bus, private car, or taxi. Train trips from Seoul to Busan cost around $33, bus trips cost around $24, and personal car trips cost around $58.

High-speed train journeys from Seoul to Busan take approximately 2 hours and 47 minutes, while private car and bus journeys take 4 hours. Since there is no Busan airport, passengers traveling from Seoul to Busan by plane must transfer via the city of Gimhae.

What are the Must-See Places in Seoul?

Below are the must-see places in Seoul.

• N Seoul Tower
• Bukchon Hanok Village
• National Museum of Korea
• Lotte World Tower
• DMZ (Neutral Zone)
• Gyeongbokgung Palace
• Seoul Museum of Art
• Blue Palace
• Bongeunsa Temple
• Gwanghwamun
• Cheonggyechoon
• Jingwansa Temple
• Itaewon
• Dongdaemun Design Plaza
• Gwangjang market
• Insadong

Where is N Seoul Tower?

N Seoul Tower is located on top of Nam Mountain in central Seoul. At 236 meters, N Seoul Tower is the second tallest building in Seoul. Built in 1969, N Seoul Tower is the first public radio tower in South Korea and provides radio and television broadcasts to the city of Seoul.

Where is Bukchon Hanok Village?

Bukchon Hanok Village is a historical village built on a hill between Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeok Palace, Jongmyo Shrine in Seoul. Bukchon Hanok Village has a history of 600 years. Throughout its history, Bukchon Hanok Village has been home to nobles and high-ranking government officials.

Those who want to go to Bukchon Hanok Village by public transportation can use the subway line, get off at Anguk station, and join the free village tours that depart every 2-3 hours.

Bukchon Hanok Village is visited by 10,000 tourists a day. Bukchon Hanok Village is home to many museums such as Bukchon Cultural Center, Seoul Intangible Cultural Heritage Center, Donglim Loop Center, Gahoe Museum.

What are the activities to do in Seoul?

Activities that can be done in Seoul are listed below.

• Visiting historical locations such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Hanok Village
• Taste authentic Korean delicacies at Gwangjang market, Namdaemun market, or Common Ground
• Taking nature walks in Seonyudo Park, Grand Seoul Park, Naksan Park, Yeouido Park
• Shopping at COEX Mall, Hongdae District and Dongdaemun Plaza
• Visiting the National Museum of Korea, Samsung Museum of Art, National Museum of Korea
• Going to nightclubs in the Gangnam and Noraebang areas

What are the Best Malls for Shopping in Seoul?

The best places to shop in Seoul are listed below.

• Coex Shopping Mall
• Hongdae district
• Dongdaemun Plaza
• Gangnam underground shopping street
• Myeongdong district
• Samcheongdong district
• Namdaemun Market

Seoul is home to many popular shopping malls and is the most popular city for shopping in South Korea.

What is the Nightlife Like in Seoul, South Korea?

Seoul, South Korea is a city with lively areas in terms of nightlife. The luxurious Gangnam district, Noraebang district and venues such as Octagon, Club Avenue 535, Club Vurt in these areas are popular entertainment spots of the city.

What to Eat in Seoul, South Korea?

South Korean dishes that can be eaten in Seoul are listed below.

• Bungee-popping
• Eomuk
• Hotteok
• Hoppang
• Dak-kkochi
• Tteokbokki
• Galbi

Doore Yoo, Dining in Space, Balwoo Gongyang, Cheong Jin Ok, Imun Seolnongtang and Hoban are some of the must-visit restaurants in Seoul that serve fine South Korean cuisine.

How to Get to Seoul from Türkiye?

You can go from Türkiye to Seoul by direct flight from Istanbul. The flight time from Istanbul to Seoul is around 10 hours and 20 minutes and the flight ticket prices are between 20,000 - 28,000 TL. There is no direct train or bus line from Türkiye to Seoul and if you go by private car, the journey takes 5 days.

Do Turkish Citizens Need a Visa to Go to Seoul?

In accordance with the visa exemption agreement between South Korea and Türkiye, Turkish citizens do not need to obtain a Korean visa to go to Seoul for trips not exceeding 3 months.

For trips longer than 3 months to Seoul, Turkish citizens must obtain a long-term Korean visa type that is appropriate for the purpose of travel. For short-term trips, a Korean electronic travel authorization (K-ETA) must be obtained online for a South Korean visa.

Vizem.net is an accredited agency that provides consultancy services to Turkish citizens regarding K-ETA for short-term travels to Seoul and visa application procedures for long-term travels to Seoul.

For information and application: 0850 241 1868