IERASG 2027
International Evoked Response Audiometry Study Group
DATE September 5-9, 2027
VENUE Daeyang AI Hall, Seoul, Korea
D-320
2026.10.20
About Korea & Seoul
Useful Information
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Public Holidays
Korea follows the Gregorian calendar for official purposes, while major traditional holidays are observed according to the lunar calendar.
During national holidays, government offices and banks are generally closed; however, most tourist attractions such as museums, palaces, department stores, and theme parks remain open.
The two most important traditional holidays are Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day), when many Koreans travel to their hometowns to celebrate with family.📆 2026 Official Public Holidays in Korea
- Jan. 1 (Thu) New Year’s Day – Celebrating the beginning of the new year. Many Koreans visit coastal areas or mountains to watch the first sunrise.
- Feb. 16 (Mon) – Feb. 18 (Wed) Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day) – One of the most important traditional holidays. Families gather, share special dishes such as tteokguk (rice cake soup), and play traditional games like yunnori.
- Mar. 1 (Sun) Independence Movement Day – Commemorates the 1919 Declaration of Independence during Japanese occupation.
- Mar. 2 (Mon) Substitute Holiday for Independence Movement Day – Observed because March 1 falls on a Sunday.
- May 5 (Tue) Children’s Day – A day to honor children and celebrate family togetherness through various events and activities.
- May 24 (Sun) Buddha’s Birthday – Celebrated on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month. Buddhist temples hold lantern festivals and ceremonies nationwide.
- May 25 (Mon) Substitute Holiday for Buddha’s Birthday – Designated because the holiday falls on a Sunday.
- June 6 (Sat) Memorial Day – Honors the men and women who sacrificed their lives for the nation. The main ceremony is held at the National Cemetery in Seoul.
- Aug. 15 (Sat) Liberation Day – Marks Korea’s liberation from Japanese rule in 1945.
- Aug. 17 (Mon) Substitute Holiday for Liberation Day – Designated because August 15 falls on a Saturday.
- Sep. 24 (Thu) – Sep. 26 (Sat) Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) – A harvest festival celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. Families hold ancestral rites (charye) and share festive meals.
- Oct. 3 (Sat) National Foundation Day – Commemorates the legendary founding of Korea by Dangun. Ceremonies are held at historic sites nationwide.
- Oct. 5 (Mon) Substitute Holiday for National Foundation Day – Designated because October 3 falls on a Saturday.
- Oct. 9 (Fri) Hangeul Day – Celebrates the creation of Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, first proclaimed in 1446.
- Dec. 25 (Fri) Christmas Day – Observed as a national holiday in Korea, with festive decorations and lights across the country.
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Business Hours
💰 Banks
- Operating Hours: Monday–Friday, 09:00–16:00
- Closed: Weekends and national holidays
- Notes:
🏦Government Offices & Public Institutions
- Operating Hours: Monday–Friday, 09:00–18:00
- Closed: Weekends and public holidays
📮Post Offices
- Operating Hours: Monday–Friday, 09:00–18:00
- Closed: Weekends and public holidays
- Website: www.koreapost.go.kr (available in Korean & English)
🛍️Department Stores
- Operating Hours:
- Closed: Varies by store (most stores close one day per month)
- Major Chains:
- Tip: Please check individual store websites in advance, as closure dates differ by branch.
Note: Information updated as of August 2025. Hours and schedules may change without prior notice.
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Korean Currency & Exchange Info
The official currency of the Republic of Korea is the won (₩/KRW).
Banknotes and Coins are issued by the Bank of Korea, and the most common denominations are as follows:Bank Notes
Denomination Color / Design Notable Figure ₩50,000 Yellow 
Shin Saimdang
(artist, calligrapher, and mother of scholar Yulgok Yi I)₩10,000 Green 
King Sejong the Great
(creator of the Korean alphabet, Hangeul)₩5,000 Orange 
Yulgok Yi I
(Confucian scholar and statesman)₩1,000 Blue 
Yi Hwang
(Toegye, Confucian scholar of the Joseon period)Coins
Denomination Color / Design Notable Figure ₩500 Silver 
Features a crane ₩100 Silver 
Features Admiral Yi Sun-sin ₩50 Bronze 
Features a stalk of rice ₩10 Copper 
Features the Dabotap Pagoda from Bulguksa Temple 💡 Tip: Coins below ₩10 are no longer in circulation for everyday use.
💰 Currency Notes
- Korean currency is written as KRW or ₩, and prices are usually rounded to the nearest ₩10.
- ATMs are widely available and support most international cards.
- Major credit cards are accepted in most urban areas, but small stores and local markets may prefer cash.
💳 Credit Card
- Credit cards are widely accepted in Korea at hotels, restaurants, department stores, and most shops. Common international cards such as Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are generally usable.
- However, smaller shops or traditional markets may only take cash, so it’s advisable to check card availability before payment.
💱 Money Exchange
- Foreign currency can be exchanged for Korean won at banks or authorized money-exchange counters.
- Operating Hours:
- Please note that some banks or exchange services may not accept old or damaged banknotes, so confirm in advance whether your currency is exchangeable.
🔢 Currency Converter
- Exchange Rates: For current exchange rates, visit 👉 www.xe.com/currencyconverter
- Available Languages: Available in multiple languages: Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Swedish, Arabic, and Dutch.
✈️ Incheon International Airport (ICN)
- Visitors arriving in Korea can conveniently exchange foreign currency at numerous bank branches and currency-exchange counters located throughout Incheon International Airport. Operating hours and exact locations vary by provider; most counters are open from 06:00 to 22:00, while a few operate 24 hours.
- Official airport site: www.airport.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
- KB Kookmin Bank (Incheon Airport Branch)
- Hana Bank (Incheon Airport Branch)
- Woori Bank (Incheon Airport Branch)
🛫 Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
- Foreign exchange and basic banking services are available near the arrival area. Hours and service points differ by bank, so please confirm in advance. Typical exchange counters operate from 06:00 to 19:30, with some extending until 21:30 or 23:30.
- Airport website: https://www.airport.co.kr/gimpoeng/index.do (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
- Shinhan Bank (Gimpo Airport Branch)
Note: The information above is based on publicly available airport and bank data as of August 2025 and may be subject to change. Please confirm details before traveling.
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Electricity & Communications
⚡ Electricity & Voltage
- The standard electrical supply in Korea is 220 volts at 60 hertz, using two round-pin sockets (Type C or F).
- Travelers whose devices are not compatible should bring a multi-voltage adapter or request one from their hotel front desk.
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Adapters are also available at airports, duty-free shops, electronics retailers, and convenience stores.
📱 Mobile Phone Rentals & Roaming Services
- Korea’s major international airports — including Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae, and Jeju — operate roaming centers managed by local telecommunications companies.
- Visitors can register for roaming service, rent a mobile phone, or purchase a SIM card or Wi-Fi Egg for data use.
- Detailed information about locations, fees, and available services can be found on each carrier’s website:
💳 SIM Card Purchase
- Travelers may purchase prepaid SIM cards to enjoy unlimited data and a local phone number while in Korea.
- Most SIM cards are valid for 1 to 90 days and generally cost less than standard roaming services.
- They can be purchased at:
- Tip: For convenience, online or airport purchase in advance is recommended.
🌐 Internet Access
- Korea offers extensive and fast internet connectivity. Free public Wi-Fi is available at airports, subway stations, train terminals, and even selected bus stops.
- Most cafés and PC rooms (internet cafés) also provide high-speed access — PC rooms are typically open 24 hours.
- Public Wi-Fi info: www.wififree.kr (Korean, English)
📮 Postal Services
- Mailboxes have become less common in recent years, but visitors can still send letters or postcards from hotel front desks or any post office.
- For details about locations and mailing fees, visit Korea Post:
Note: Information updated as of August 2025. Details may change; please verify locally before travel.
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Emergency Situations
🚨 Emergency Numbers
- Police Department: +82-112
- Fire Department: +82-119
- Medical Emergencies: +82-119
- Infectious Disease Emergencies: +82-1339
☎️ 1330 Korea Travel Hotline
- A multilingual 24-hour travel information and interpretation service.
- Tel: +82-2-1330 (available in Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, and Indonesian)
- Website: www.visitkorea.or.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, French, Spanish, German, Russian)
🏛️ Diplomatic Missions in Korea
- Information on embassies, consulates, and diplomatic offices in Korea.
- Website: www.mofa.go.kr (Korean, English)
🔎 LOST112 (Lost & Found Service)
- Operated by the Korean National Police Agency, this service helps travelers recover lost property.
- Tel: +82-2-182
- Address: National Police Agency, 97 Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
- Website: www.lost112.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
📞 Local Directory Assistance
- Tel: +114
- Area Code Lookup: www.countrycode.org
🏥 Medical Facilities for International Visitors
- Many large hospitals in Korea operate International Health Care Centers, offering medical support for foreign patients. These centers provide multilingual assistance for appointments, treatment, and post-care services.
- Major Hospitals in Seoul & Other Cities
Note: The above information was compiled based on verified public data as of August 2025. Please confirm directly with each hospital or service provider before your visit.