Facts at a Glance

Population: 45.2 million
Language: Korean
Religion: Shamanism, which originated in central Asia; Buddhism, which entered Korea from China around the 4th century AD; Confucianism, a system of ethics of Chinese origin; and Christianity, which first made inroads into Korea in the 18th century.
Currency: Some shops near U.S. military bases will accept U.S. dollars; otherwise, the won is the official currency of South Korea.
Visas: Most visitors only need a passport and an onward ticket to enter Seoul for up to 30 days without a visa. South Korean embassies and consulates will grant tourist and business visas for stays up to 90 days.
Time Zone: GMT/UTC+9