Home > Useful Info > Tips for Vistors     Banks   Weekdays: 09:00 - 16:00   Weekends and National Holidays: Closed Government Offices and Organizations   Weekdays: 09:00 - 18:00   Weekends and National Holidays: Closed Post Offices   Weekdays: 09:00 - 18:00 (Gwanghwamun Post Office: 09:00 - 20:00)   Saturdays: 09:00 - 13:00 (Gwanghwamun Post Office: 09:00 - 18:00)   Sundays and National Holidays: Closed (Gwanghwamun Post Office: 09:00 - 18:00) Foreign Diplomatic Missions   Weekdays: Hours vary, please see the following link for more information   Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (English)   Weekends and National Holidays: Closed Department Stores   10:30 - 20:00   * Typically one day a month (usually a Monday) department stores are closed to the public.     However, closings will vary according to each store.   From mid-March through late-May, and mid-September through mid-November, you can wear long-sleeved shirts and   slacks plus possibly a cardigan or a jacket. During summer, June through August, short-sleeved shirts and shorts would   be a good idea. Late November through early March you must be prepared for the cold. Scarves and gloves are   recommended for January and February, and remember that it snows at higher elevations in Korea.   Foreign currency and traveler's checks can be exchanged into Korean won at most banks and other authorized   exchange booths. The exchange rate is subject to market fluctuations and is trading at approximately 1,186 Korean   won per US dollar and 1,368 Korean won per Japanese yen as of August, 2010.   Credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, American Express and JCB are accepted at major hotels, restaurants and shops.   Voltage in Korea is 220 V at 60 Hz.   Value-Added Tax (VAT) is levied on most goods and services at a standard rate of 10% and is included in the retail price.   In tourist hotels, this 10% tax applies to rooms, meals and other services and is included in the bill. Any product with   this "Tax Free Shopping" sign will allow you to get a refund on VAT. You must depart the Republic of Korea within 3 months   of the purchase.   The time zone is Greenwich Mean Time +9 hours.   Tipping is not a traditional Korean custom. Generally, a 10% service charge is added to the bill at hotels and tipping is not   expected. It is not necessary to tip a taxi driver unless participant is assisted with luggage or provided with extra service   International SOS Korea provides a 24-hour emergency service for participants, for a fee, acting as a link between the   patient and the Korean hospitals. For Medical Emergencies dial 1339. Emergency Call   Dial 112 for the police, 119 for the fire department, or 1339 for medical emergencies (though most operators speak   only Korean). A hotel staff or hotel manager can arrange for a doctor or an ambulance.