Meeting Venue, Access, and Travel Information

Venue Address

Conference room 403
COEX (Convention & Exhibition Center)
World Trade Center
Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu
Seoul, South Korea

Website: http://coex.co.kr/index.asp

Access

Access from the Incheon International Airport to the venue is described in details at the
Coex center website.

In addition, a detailed guide on how to get from the Incheon airport/hotels to the venue has been prepared by the local organizers. It can be downloaded here.

Emergency Contact

If you encounter any problems after your arrival to the Seoul airport, please feel free to call
Prof. Deg-Hyo Bae at his cell phone: 017-859-9108.

Travel Information

• Currency Exchange
  The currency is the won. The exchange rate was 1USD = 1,082 KRW on 15 August 2011. Banknotes: 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 50,000 won. Coins: 10, 50, 100, 500 won.
  
  Many banks in Seoul offer a foreign-exchange service and there are licensed moneychangers, particularly in Itaewon, that keep longer hours than the banks and provide a faster service but may only exchange cash. As with any shops and hotels that offer to exchange money, compare their rates and commissions with the banks first.
  
  US dollars are easiest to exchange but banks accept any major currency. If you have trouble exchanging a particular currency, try the Korea Exchange Bank (KEB). Traveller's cheques usually have a slightly better exchange rate than cash.
  
  Do not forget to reconvert any surplus won into another currency before you leave the country, as exchanging won outside Korea can be a problem. If you need to reconvert more than US$2000 of won at Incheon airport, you must show receipts for the money.
  


• Credit Cards and ATM's
  More and more upmarket hotels, shops and restaurants accept foreign credit cards, but plenty of places including budget accommodation, market stalls and restaurants require hard cash. Cash payment is still surprisingly common in Seoul so always have a stash of W10,000 notes handy as it will almost certainly be needed.
  
  Automated teller machines (ATMs) in Seoul are a little strange but more and more accept foreign cards. If you have a foreign credit card, you need to find an ATM with a ‘Global’ sign or the logo of your credit card company.
  


• Insurance
  Participants are strongly advised to arrange their own overseas travel insurance.
  


• Time
  In relation to Greenwich, Seoul is +9 hours.
  


• Electrical Appliances
  Electric voltage in Seoul: 220V 60 Hz
  Electric plug: round two-pronged plug (type C).
  (Details and figures here). Please bring your own plug adapters for your equipment.
  


• Tipping
  Tipping is not necessary in Seoul, although a compulsory 10% service charge is added to the bill at some midrange and all top-end hotels and restaurants. Taxi drivers may surprise visitors by insisting on giving change.
  


• Passport and Visa
  Visitors from nations whose citizens must have visas should apply to a Korean consular office or diplomatic mission in their country.
  


• Climate and Travel
  The weather in Seoul at the beginning of October is usually sunny and surrounding hillsides are ablaze with autumn colors.
  Actual Weather forecast is available here.
  Travel and Sightseeing information at the Lonely Planet website.