Questions & Answers
Category:General Info
Why do Koreans walk on the left (sometimes) and drive on the right?
It may be because of the mix of Japanese and American influence over the past 100 years. The Japanese would have influenced the walking as they were in Korea in the first half of the 20th century. Cars came later for the general public.
(From Rob a long-time expat resident to K4E): There are probably a number of reasons why this happens, including the transition from some of the country's earlier traditions. There actually is a law in Korea that states that pedestrians should walk on the left, whereas motor traffic, of course, drives on the right. There are discussions to change the pedestrian law to have people walk on the right side. Also, as with any place where the population is very high, people find the open way to get through as quickly as possible.
New 'walking' rules went into effect on 1 October 2009 moving foot traffic to the right. new arrows and footprints have been painted in various public locations, including subway stations, to remind people that they now get on escalators from the right.
As for the flow of traffic, people still pretty much find their own path - right or left or both.
K4E Editor: We try to make the information on Korea4Expats.com as complete and accurate as possible, so if you notice any errors or omissions in the content above, please let us know at info@korea4expats.com.
- Are foreign residents allowed to buy property in Korea?
- Is it possible to rent a post office box in Seoul?
- I understand that the post office supplies boxes for mailing stuff home?
- Why does my house have two different numbers?
- What's the purpose of the raised circles and bars on the floors of the subway stations and on sidewalks?
- Why do Koreans walk on the left (sometimes) and drive on the right?
- Are there rules about where one stands on an escalator?
- Why can't foreign residents order on-line even with their alien registration numbers?
- Why do we have to put the area code for a local number when dialing from a mobile phone?
- Why do the police drive with their lights flashing?
- What are digital, set or magic perms? And what's a danbaekjil pama?
- Why do we see so many Xmas trees still up in February?
- Can pets get H1N1 test/vaccine in Korea?
- When I’m throwing trash out, I was told to use a specific plastic bag. Where can I find them?
Banking
- Is it difficult to open a bank account in Korea?
- Do I need to have an alien registration card to open a bank account in Korea?
- Do I have access to my Korean bank account when I am outside the country?
- Can I cash a foreign check in Korea?
- How do Korean checks work?
- Are bank checks exactly like cash?
- Why does Korean money stop at 50,000 KW?
- I don't speak Korean. How can I use the ATM?
- Can I access my home country account from a Korean ATM?
- Is there a difference in the service charges applied to teller and ATM transactions?
- Can I have more than one bank account in Korea?
- Some ATMs say 'Cash' 'Check' 'Cash/Cheque'? What do these options mean?
- Why can't I use the ATMs at night?
Children/Families
- Where can I find a pediatrician?
- I've heard that there are childcare subsidies for working mothers? As a foreign worker, am I entitled to these?
- Our children are pre-school age. Is there anything for them to do in Seoul?
- I'm a foreigner working in Korea. Am I entitled to maternity leave?
- How much should I pay for a nanny or maid?
- What childcare options are available in Korea?
Communication Services
- Can I bring my mobile phone to Korea?
- Is it true that there will be on-line etiquette programs in Korea?
- I've heard that it can be difficult to get phone service in Korea if you're a foreigner. Is that true?
- Pre-paid cell phone cards are very costly. Why can't I get regular mobile service?
- Why do I have to go and re-register my cell phone every 3 months?
- I would like to switch phones. Will this cost me a lot?
- How can I forward calls from my landline to my cell phone?
Culture
Driving in Korea
- Can I use my driver's license in Korea?
- Are there any reasonably priced parking lots in the downtown (City Hall) area where one can occasionally park a car for the day?
- What is the minimum driving age in Korea?
- How can I find out where my car has been towed?
- Can I make a left turn on an amber/yellow light?
- On what side of the road do Koreans drive?
- I've heard about an alternate-day-driving program. What is that?
- How do I get rid of my car if it's too old to sell?
- How can I find out if there are any outstanding fines on my car?
Food Eating
Getting Around
- What's the difference between the grey and black and orange taxies in Seoul?
- I don't always want to hail a taxi on the street. Can I call for one?
- How can I know which bus to take?
- Where can I get information on the subway system?
- Can you mail items from Korea using padded envelopes? If so, where can you get them?
- Why are there steps or arrows painted on the subway platforms and stairs.
- Why don't people pull over when they hear an ambulance siren?
- Why should I always get a taxi receipt?
- Why do I have to pay more if I get on a taxi late at night?
- I don't understand Korean. Can I use the QR codes at Seoul's bus stops?
- How do I know a taxi is a legal one and not a pirate?
- How do I get a refund on the balance remaining on my T-money card?
Government Regs
- How old do you have to be to buy cigarettes in Korea?
- I understand Koreans smoke a lot. Can we smoke everywhere?
- Why aren't garbage bags put in trash cans before they are put out on the street?
- Where can I find the postal code/zip code for addresses in Korea?
- What is this new address system we keep hearing about?
Health
Immigration
Money Matters
- How do I pay my utility bills?
- I know that I have to file an annual tax return in Korea, but how can I do it when I don't speak or read Korean?
- Why is it when I click on to the English functions of the ATM, there's often a step that's in Korea only
- Why can't I use my Korean ATM card to access my account from outside Korea?
- Are Expat seniors (65+) eligible for same discounts as Koreans?
- Are there any banks that operate for 24 hours?
Networking/Socialising
Security
- I understand that Korea is very safe but is it safe to use the ATMs at night?
- I've heard that there are attack drills in Seoul where traffic stops and everyone goes indoors. Is this true?
- Is Korea a dangerous place to live?
- How can I find the police station nearest to my home?
- What can I do if forget something in a taxi?
- What are the stats regarding sex crimes and foreign nationals in Korea?
- We keep hearing and reading about foreign teachers arrested for drug use. What are the stats?
Shopping
- Is lactose-free milk available in Seoul?
- Can I use my COSTCO membership card in Korea?
- How hard should we haggle/bargain when shopping in Korea?
- I need to have the tank on my BBQ grill re-filled. How can I do that?
- Is there any place where I can donate stuff we don't wear, but that is in good condition?
- Can non-Koreans shop at second-hand stores?
- Is it possible to get Xmas trees in Seoul?
Thing to Do
Travel in Korea
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Beauty Care - Hair, Nail, Massage, Wax, Spa
Hair Sensation, Hair and Nail Salon, Hyatt Hill, Itaewon, Seoul -
Restaurants, Coffee Shops, etc.
Suji's Deli Shops, New York-style Deli Meats, Seoul and Incheon -
Beauty Care - Hair, Nail, Massage, Wax, Spa
Beauty Shops - Around Seoul -
Banks and Finance Services
Shinhan Bank Seoul Global Center - Banking for Foreigners, Downtown Seoul -
Accounting/Bookkeeping services
JzAssociate, Accounting Services, Personal & Business, Seoul & Gyeonggi -
Shopping, Food, Clothing, New and Used Stuff, etc.
Audace Lingerie, European Brands & Sizes, Gangnam, Seoul -
Schools Nursery to University
KONIS, English Montessori School, Pyeoungchang-dong, Seoul -
Alternative Health Care ex. Anti-Aging, Chiropractor, etc.
New York Wholistic Care, Chiropractor in Itaewon, Seoul
Last Posts On Forums
Click here for a list of English language/subtitled movies and where they are playing in Seoul. 
An opportunity to meet the Editor-in-Chief of Dow Jones and Managing Editor of The Wall Street Journal.
The dates of the HaeBangChon Festival have changed to 25-26 May.
The convention showcases the local tattoo scene.
