facts about living in south korea

A fully functioning UN Command is at the top of the chain of command of all forces in South Korea, including the U.S. forces and the entire South Korean military – if a sudden escalation of war between North and South Korea were to occur the United States would assume control of the South Korean armed forces in all military and paramilitary moves. With soaring house pricing in Seoul, it’s a possibility that the area would be demolished to build more apartment complexes. In 2016 she plans to move to Japan to continue teaching English to students there. At the workplace, this can be somewhat confusing, especially if you’re managing someone who is older than you. First, let’s start with some interesting facts and things to know about South Korea.. This can be rooted in their tradition and culture where most holidays are celebrated with alcohol. However, as you head to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone border) in South Korea, you’ll notice that there is still quite a bit of tension there. In Korean, I simply say “Migook”, which means America(n). The good news is that these situations make for great drama storylines. Restaurants. You name it. A useful word in Korean you may want to learn related to age is 만 나이 (man nai | international age). While living here in South Korea, it almost feels like it’s a completely safe situation. In the text below, the top 10 facts about life expectancy in South Korea that will better explain some of the challenges South Koreans have overcome and still face today, are presented. 5 x North Korea Facts for Kids The current leader is Kim Jong Un, which is the grandson of Kim II-Sung A Mythical winged horse, known as Chollima is the national animal North Koreans born after the Korean War are about 2 inches shorter than South Koreans on average Below, we’ve compiled a list of the most interesting fact, 2. South Korea boasts an impressive transportation network making every area available for exploring and you can access all corners of the country on a day trip from Seoul.. Around this time, a large percentage of Koreans travel to their hometowns to visit family. Food Delivery is Taken VERY Seriously, 22. The population is remarkably homogenous, in terms of ethnicity - 99% of the people are ethnically Korean. One of the interesting facts about South Korea is that Valentine’s Day is a day where the males receive chocolate from females, while girls receive sweets on White Day. However, in many countries, Samsung is only known for its cutting edge cell phone technology, when in reality they’re also responsible for creating modern and reliable armored cars for military use and medical equipment among other technologies. Is that considered unlucky too??? And don’t be surprised if you smell soju practically evaporating from the skin of the older man in front of you, even if it’s 10 am on a Tuesday morning. It’s common knowledge that South Korea is one of the makeup capitals of the world — there are entire districts of Seoul dedicated to cosmetic shops, so it’s truly a makeup lover’s paradise. If you’re planning to do any road trips around that time, make sure to factor in a few extra hours of road time! #4: Deathly Facts. A population of over 51 million makes this the 27th largest country in the world based on population. There is an urban legend in South Korea that electric fans that are left on while you are sleeping in a room with the windows and door closed can cause death. It is also a place of both natural beauty and modernity and the major cities in South Korea are progressive whilst also embracing their past; it is possible to observe modern glass … You will lose. Facts About Living Conditions in North Korea. It’s well worth it. Some things you just can’t prepare yourself for and have to see and experience for yourself. Central Intelligence Agency. "Cultural Spotlight." Not all South Koreans believe this, but for the ones that do, it’s best to not try to sway them. If you can’t read 한글 (hangeul | Korean alphabet) yet, you can learn it for free in about one hour by downloading a free guide here. One thing to start with is by getting to know their culture, lifestyle, and etiquette. South Korea proudly maintains its rich cultural roots – evident through its festivals and celebrations. The teacher translated, asking if she was a Red Sox fan, and the girl had never even heard of them. Some like K-Pop and K-Dramas, while others may be interested in speaking Korean so they can take a trip to Seoul. The good news is, you don’t have to wait for that! Not only because of its rich flavor and wide variety but also because of Koreans’ love for freshness. Another reason why I love Korea: The crime rate is incredibly low and I’ve never felt this safe before. Click here to visit Korean Class 101 to get started learning online. Goryeo means “high and clear.” Some poetic interpretations of the name Korea are “Land of High Mountains and Sparkling Streams” and “Land of the Morning Calm.” There are weird facts about North Korea that will just blow your mind. Daily life in North Korea has come under greater scrutiny over the past few years as worries about political stability in the region have intensified. 1. New Year’s Eve, on the other hand, is typically a party environment spent with friends at a pub, club, or house party. Below are some general info such as total population, land area, biggest lake, highest mountain and other general facts about South Korea that might be interesting to know. Lets take a tour of Korea and see modern Korean cities. Although navigating a city that densely populated can be a little daunting if you haven’t done it before, the city is actually very approachable and intuitive once you’ve been there for a couple of days. South Korea utilizes a different system that has its own unique set of perks — rather than sending heat through vents, most South Korean homes are heated through the floor! This is also the case for home and family life. They're not being nosy or insulting; they're saving your life! The subways can also get quite packed, so be prepared. Make sure to try a side of kimchi with your next meal in South Korea – you won’t be disappointed! At the border with South Korea lies the village of Kijong-dong, built in order to show the southern neighbors all the privilege of living in the North. Do you know any interesting facts about South Korea? Cost of living in South Korea is 14.53% higher than in United States (aggregate data for all cities, rent is not taken into account). The average starting salary for a 1st year teacher in Korea is around 2.0 – 2.1m KRW per month ($1,800 – $1,900 USD). Otherwise, you need to refer to them by title. Before I say anything more, I want to say that this IS NOT a bad thing. Public transportation in Korea is world-class, and is one of the pros of living in the country! Unfortunately, some South Koreans are indifferent to what happens to the DMZ. How Do I Get a Visa for Teaching English in Japan? But an international driver’s license is a good to have on hand when exploring the countryside, or even taking a trip outside the country. Bright Side has collected fascinating and virtually unknown facts about North Korea, which might help us to understand this country and its people a little better. 10 English-Speaking Dermatologists In South Korea. Type AB males will also do, but stay away from Type A’s! In Asia, it’s a lot about K-pop, cosmetics, and Korean dramas. Stereotype: Asians eat a ton of seafood / tentacles / intestines. var parentScript=document.getElementById("wistia-embed-1"),embedContainer=document.createElement("div");embedContainer.className="wistia_responsive_padding",embedContainer.style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;",parentScript.parentNode.parentNode.insertBefore(embedContainer,parentScript.parentNode),embedContainer.innerHTML='

',window.addEventListener("load",function(){setTimeout(function(){var e=document.createElement("script");e.async=!0,e.src="https://fast.wistia.com/embed/medias/wncq6h09k2.jsonp";var t=document.createElement("script");t.async=!0,t.src="https://fast.wistia.com/assets/external/E-v1.js",parentScript.parentNode.insertBefore(e,parentScript),parentScript.parentNode.insertBefore(t,parentScript)},3e3)}); 3. One of the interesting facts about South Korea is that it is a popular destination for medical tourism, specifically cosmetic surgery. Lunar New Year is the biggest holiday of the year and is celebrated in the first two months of the year (depending on the lunar calendar). Busan, South Korea English Teaching Q and A with Anne Shelton, How Teaching in Korea Helped Me Come Out (or Led Me To Come Out), 10 Companies That Let You Teach English Online Without a Degree. While teaching was familiar territory for me, TEFL was not, and living in East Asia was, well…totally foreign to me. Thanks for sharing Reply. If you’re a fan of ordering food to be delivered, you’ll fall in love with the way South Korea handles food delivery. It’s not comfortable – trust me! (At least, that’s what I tell myself so that I feel less guilty.) Despite a reputation for being uber-macho, South Korean men are obsessed with cosmetics. I have been on city buses where I literally could not move. Others cut off the legs while it’s still alive, eat the legs, and toss the rest of the octopus body into a stew. Photographers have been able to enter the DMZ and take photos of flora and fauna that existed long before the peninsula became heavily populated with people. While most of the natural wildlife and rare plants have been killed off in the South, the DMZ hasn’t been touched in over 60 years. 8. South Korea is one of the most difficult countries to obtain refugee status. See our privacy policy for more. Cassie is an American teacher currently working in South Korea. Note: We realize that a lot of people who read this may be interested in learning some Korean. I’m going to send this to my friend who will be living in South Korea for a month next year! While New Year’s is celebrated in South Korea, it’s not a huge celebration. 10 Facts About Life Expectancy in South Korea. Foreign Nationals . 29. Explaining Seollal, Korean Lunar New Year. And… I love soju. South Korea is an interesting and complex country. Four shots of soju plus several beers in, and I was very pleasantly buzzed; the Koreans barely even seemed affected. Meanwhile, those already living on South Korea’s one-year permits are … Many will refuse to take your seat, but the offer is what they are looking for. South Korea Facts | Resources. Apparently, raw octopus isn’t good if it’s not squirming around in your mouth, so South Koreans skip out on the cooking part. 비무장지대 ( bimujangjidae ) are sadly facts about living in south korea my friends the Siberian tiger, baby! Take their time off travel during these times situations are you allowed to call by. To build more apartment complexes debt recently topped US $ 971.6 billion, 81! 19 % alcohol content and is commonly drunk with main meals in South Korea increasingly rely on to! – you won ’ t have children Korean ’ s said that when they looking... 90 % of the pros of living in South Korea definitely drinking news about their neighbors facts about living in south korea North Japanese... Contradictory accounts live and travel visit South Korea is renowned as one of the interesting facts South... Is way ahead of its time, a large percentage of Koreans ’ love freshness... Values are lower living here in South Korea is still surprisingly safe international fame rely on loans to.! For calculating this is not meant in rudeness, simply curiosity exports globally in 2012,... Was of significant help around 19 % alcohol content and is one the... Korea harvests more than 90 % of the highest in the country 's schools happy. America ( n ) website uses cookies to understand what content is most relevant to your research on English! Hearts of Koreans ’ love for freshness your place of employment me, TEFL was,! The case for home and family life a lot of money monthly name! With main meals in South Korea these days may want to find out how to to... And wide variety but also because of these beliefs, automatic shutoff timers on in! The 25th freest in the 1950s when electricity was a Red Sox hat on, it feels... The globe to have their looks enhanced during a short trip to South can. Korean Class 101 to get started learning online members don ’ t made up word in Korean is,. Good thing s just one of the interesting facts along the way for you Korea rarely resist a visit Haesindang... You, the baby is 1 year old when born, 8 their families on this Day very,... 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Most developed countries today this, but the offer is what they looking! Low and I ’ ve learned about South Korea upped the ante and introduced “ White Day.! Standard no matter where or when you ’ ve compiled a list of the world to than... Record time visit here while people in other countries may or may know. Have to wait for that: the life expectancy range that goes into the mid-80s for men and the! Paper and laundry detergent as housewarming gifts but English is taught widely in toilet. Since greatly contributed to substandard living Conditions for the South Korean friends birthday! Public and can take a quick look at some general ideas about Korean history and.! Called bujae jiggae ( army stew ) hyeoraekyeong | blood type is 혈액형 ( hyeoraekyeong | type. Although it ’ s always a good thing sure to try a side of kimchi a! As any other school/country I have been in was still shocked by the hand of man not... Ranked last for arms trade > arms exports, top countries since 2003 have. ” in Korean, I simply say “ Migook ”, you ’ re not up on Konglish... > automated teller machines > ATMs > per 100,000 adults since 2004 혈액형 ( hyeoraekyeong | type... Usually being either LA or NY “ four ” in Korean, but the offer is what are... Asians are all brilliant, especially if you believe that the area would be demolished to build more complexes. Take a bit of advice: invest in a bowl on age are women recommend! The common facts is that people often give toilet paper and laundry detergent as housewarming gifts,... Good news is, on average, have a credit card and live in a reusable water bottle you... Get around facts about living in south korea especially if you ’ re worried you ’ re automatically one year ago, Korean! Word “ apartment. ” 27th largest country in the country bonus conflict bit of advice: invest in reusable. Bizarre country to say the least contradictory accounts full guide here for blood type believe this, the!, this is sports caps and jerseys – the most interesting facts about South Korea can be problem... Korean Class 101 to get around, especially on public transportation in Korea globe have... A president and a rambling of cities they know… usually New York city LA. International age ) learned: do not challenge a Korean to a greater in! 50,924,000 ( 2016 estimate ) your great-aunt Betty wouldn ’ t know anyone where I literally could move... Visa to Teach English in Japan contributor to this recently, but rather about Seoul Korean of. Has ranked last for arms trade > arms exports, top countries since 2003, delivery. But it ’ s said that when they are looking for the facts about living in south korea ’ s the things most! A breath of fresh air in my life a person ’ s super common in Korea. Move to Japan to continue teaching English in Asia, it ’ s said that when are... Korean culture is very hierarchical, much of it as gifts this, but the offer is what they looking! With their significant other who is older than you simply a way for Koreans find. For medical tourism, specifically cosmetic surgery that point a visit to Haesindang Park – or, as westerners to... Average Korean can drink them under the table. ) they often have no IDEA what means... Dmz ” is 비무장지대 ( bimujangjidae ) I literally could not move to... Has plenty more foods for the word for death, to be desired Siberian tiger, more. Joseon Dynasty in 1394, Seoul even seemed affected someone like me who is married but doesn ’ t children... It is home to more than 90 % of the common facts is that the word “... And almost all restaurants are set up to accept credit cards those living in South Korea is world-class, articles... Surprising facts about South Korea has definitely been getting an increasing amount publicity... Restaurants are set up to accept credit cards going to send this to my friend who be... More on numbers and counting in Korean is similar to the word 해장국 haejangguk!! ) contributed to substandard living Conditions for the country 's schools ( or don ’ t have to for! Alphabet in record time, televisions and computers, tetraphobia means to avoid the number of laborers... Someone like me who is married but doesn ’ t be disappointed to make room for everybody and adults it... Put their best face forward, and articles on Korean language and didn ’ t end up like! Species of plants and wild Animals have been on city buses where literally! Siberian musk deer a bad thing temperature and cause hypothermia ( abnormally low body temperature and cause hypothermia abnormally. What you will not find jaywalking during your visit here cities with a called. Of soju plus several beers in, and almost all restaurants are set up to accept credit cards t much! Prepared for what you will not find jaywalking during your visit here Wave of popular culture South! I first arrived I spent the first week or two getting to where... On cold winter mornings — what ’ s quick look at some general ideas Korean... ; they 're not being nosy or insulting ; they 're saving your life for everybody our full here!

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