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Long-term residents should read our guide on how to ",{"type":31,"tag":89,"props":769,"children":772},{"href":770,"rel":771},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku.com\u002Fblog\u002Flanguage-fun\u002Fhow-to-exchange-a-foreign-drivers-license-in-korea",[93],[773],{"type":36,"value":774},"exchange a foreign driver's license in Korea",{"type":36,"value":98},{"type":31,"tag":51,"props":777,"children":779},{"id":778},"day-14-back-to-seoul-and-departure",[780],{"type":36,"value":781},"Day 14: Back to Seoul and Departure",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":783,"children":784},{},[785],{"type":36,"value":786},"Fly Jeju to Gimpo (the in-city Seoul airport, much faster than Incheon for connections). Leave a generous buffer if your international flight departs from Incheon. AREX runs from Gimpo to Incheon directly.",{"type":31,"tag":51,"props":788,"children":790},{"id":789},"costs-taxes-and-refunds",[791],{"type":36,"value":792},"Costs, Taxes, and Refunds",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":794,"children":795},{},[796],{"type":36,"value":797},"VAT in South Korea is 10% and already included in posted prices. Tourists can claim a refund on purchases:",{"type":31,"tag":63,"props":799,"children":800},{},[801,813,823,835,846],{"type":31,"tag":67,"props":802,"children":803},{},[804,806,811],{"type":36,"value":805},"Minimum purchase of ",{"type":31,"tag":71,"props":807,"children":808},{},[809],{"type":36,"value":810},"KRW 15,000",{"type":36,"value":812}," in a single transaction at a participating store.",{"type":31,"tag":67,"props":814,"children":815},{},[816,821],{"type":31,"tag":71,"props":817,"children":818},{},[819],{"type":36,"value":820},"Immediate refund",{"type":36,"value":822}," at checkout is available up to ₩1,000,000 per single receipt at participating stores.",{"type":31,"tag":67,"props":824,"children":825},{},[826,828,833],{"type":36,"value":827},"You must depart Korea within ",{"type":31,"tag":71,"props":829,"children":830},{},[831],{"type":36,"value":832},"3 months",{"type":36,"value":834}," of the purchase and have stayed less than 6 months.",{"type":31,"tag":67,"props":836,"children":837},{},[838,840,845],{"type":36,"value":839},"The duty-free purchase limit per person is ",{"type":31,"tag":71,"props":841,"children":842},{},[843],{"type":36,"value":844},"USD 800",{"type":36,"value":98},{"type":31,"tag":67,"props":847,"children":848},{},[849],{"type":36,"value":850},"Effective January 1, 2026, the VAT refund for cosmetic surgery and aesthetic medical procedures was abolished. Do not factor it into a medical-tourism budget.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":852,"children":853},{},[854],{"type":36,"value":855},"Taxis in Seoul start at ₩4,800 for the first 1.6 km, then ₩100 per additional 131 meters. Late-night and intercity surcharges apply.",{"type":31,"tag":51,"props":857,"children":859},{"id":858},"when-to-go",[860],{"type":36,"value":861},"When to Go",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":863,"children":864},{},[865],{"type":36,"value":866},"Spring and autumn are the obvious windows. For 2026, the Korea Meteorological Administration's forecast put first cherry blossoms in Jeju and Busan around March 25, Gangneung around April 1, and Seoul around April 3, with Seoul's peak bloom around April 8. The 2026 blooms ran 2 to 8 days earlier than the long-term average, so if you are chasing them in future years, build flexibility into your dates.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":868,"children":869},{},[870],{"type":36,"value":871},"Summer (July to mid-August) is hot, humid, and the monsoon hits. Winter (December to February) is dry and cold; Seoul regularly drops below freezing, but it is also the cheapest season and ski resorts open in Gangwon Province.",{"type":31,"tag":51,"props":873,"children":875},{"id":874},"common-pitfalls",[876],{"type":36,"value":877},"Common Pitfalls",{"type":31,"tag":63,"props":879,"children":880},{},[881,891,901,911,921,931],{"type":31,"tag":67,"props":882,"children":883},{},[884,889],{"type":31,"tag":71,"props":885,"children":886},{},[887],{"type":36,"value":888},"Booking KTX too late.",{"type":36,"value":890}," Pass holders only get 2 reservations per day, and popular Friday and Sunday trains sell out. Reserve as soon as the 4-week window opens.",{"type":31,"tag":67,"props":892,"children":893},{},[894,899],{"type":31,"tag":71,"props":895,"children":896},{},[897],{"type":36,"value":898},"Assuming cards work everywhere.",{"type":36,"value":900}," Small restaurants, traditional markets, and rural taxis sometimes only take cash or T-money. Carry ₩50,000 in cash as backup.",{"type":31,"tag":67,"props":902,"children":903},{},[904,909],{"type":31,"tag":71,"props":905,"children":906},{},[907],{"type":36,"value":908},"Skipping the e-Arrival Card.",{"type":36,"value":910}," Even if you have K-ETA exemption status, double-check whether your specific situation requires the digital arrival card on the official portal before you fly.",{"type":31,"tag":67,"props":912,"children":913},{},[914,919],{"type":31,"tag":71,"props":915,"children":916},{},[917],{"type":36,"value":918},"Underestimating Incheon to Seoul transfer time.",{"type":36,"value":920}," Allow at least 3 hours from central Seoul to ICN gate for an international flight, more during rush hour.",{"type":31,"tag":67,"props":922,"children":923},{},[924,929],{"type":31,"tag":71,"props":925,"children":926},{},[927],{"type":36,"value":928},"Trying to do Jeju as a day trip.",{"type":36,"value":930}," It is a full island. Two nights minimum, three is better.",{"type":31,"tag":67,"props":932,"children":933},{},[934,939],{"type":31,"tag":71,"props":935,"children":936},{},[937],{"type":36,"value":938},"Forgetting the IDP.",{"type":36,"value":940}," Without an International Driving Permit obtained at home, rental agencies on Jeju will refuse you.",{"type":31,"tag":51,"props":942,"children":944},{"id":943},"frequently-asked-questions",[945],{"type":36,"value":946},"Frequently Asked Questions",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":948,"children":949},{},[950,955,959],{"type":31,"tag":71,"props":951,"children":952},{},[953],{"type":36,"value":954},"Is 2 weeks enough for South Korea?",{"type":31,"tag":956,"props":957,"children":958},"br",{},[],{"type":36,"value":960},"\nYes. Two weeks lets you see Seoul properly, ride the KTX to at least two other cities, and add Jeju. Three weeks would let you add Sokcho and Seoraksan or extend Jeju.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":962,"children":963},{},[964,969,972,974,979],{"type":31,"tag":71,"props":965,"children":966},{},[967],{"type":36,"value":968},"Do I need K-ETA in 2026?",{"type":31,"tag":956,"props":970,"children":971},{},[],{"type":36,"value":973},"\nNo, if you hold a passport from one of the 67 exempt countries. The exemption runs through December 31, 2026. From January 1, 2027, K-ETA is required again. Verify at ",{"type":31,"tag":89,"props":975,"children":977},{"href":91,"rel":976},[93],[978],{"type":36,"value":96},{"type":36,"value":980}," before booking.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":982,"children":983},{},[984,989,992],{"type":31,"tag":71,"props":985,"children":986},{},[987],{"type":36,"value":988},"Should I get a KORAIL Pass or buy tickets individually?",{"type":31,"tag":956,"props":990,"children":991},{},[],{"type":36,"value":993},"\nIf your itinerary uses 3 or more KTX legs of medium-to-long distance within consecutive days, the pass usually wins. For a Seoul to Busan round trip alone, individual tickets at about ₩60,000 each way are cheaper than a 2-day pass at ₩131,000.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":995,"children":996},{},[997,1002,1005],{"type":31,"tag":71,"props":998,"children":999},{},[1000],{"type":36,"value":1001},"Can I use my T-money card on Jeju?",{"type":31,"tag":956,"props":1003,"children":1004},{},[],{"type":36,"value":1006},"\nYes. T-money works nationwide on subways, buses, and most taxis.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":1008,"children":1009},{},[1010,1015,1018],{"type":31,"tag":71,"props":1011,"children":1012},{},[1013],{"type":36,"value":1014},"Is tipping expected?",{"type":31,"tag":956,"props":1016,"children":1017},{},[],{"type":36,"value":1019},"\nNo. It is not customary in restaurants, taxis, or hotels. Service charges, when they apply, are already included.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":1021,"children":1022},{},[1023,1028,1031],{"type":31,"tag":71,"props":1024,"children":1025},{},[1026],{"type":36,"value":1027},"What's the easiest way to get cash?",{"type":31,"tag":956,"props":1029,"children":1030},{},[],{"type":36,"value":1032},"\nGlobal ATMs at convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) and at Korean banks accept foreign cards. Look for the \"Global\" label on the machine.",{"type":31,"tag":32,"props":1034,"children":1035},{},[1036,1038,1045],{"type":36,"value":1037},"If you are planning to spend two weeks in Korea and want signs, menus, and conversations to make sense as you go, picking up some Korean before you fly pays off fast. Migaku turns Korean shows, YouTube videos, and articles into study material, so you can ",{"type":31,"tag":89,"props":1039,"children":1042},{"href":1040,"rel":1041},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku.com\u002Fsignup",[93],[1043],{"type":36,"value":1044},"try Migaku",{"type":36,"value":1046}," and learn from the same content you will encounter once you land.",{"type":31,"tag":1048,"props":1049,"children":1052},"prose-button",{"href":1050,"text":1051},"\u002Flearn-korean","Learn Korean with Migaku",[],{"title":25,"searchDepth":1054,"depth":1054,"links":1055},2,[1056,1057,1058,1059,1060,1061,1062,1063,1064,1065,1066,1067],{"id":53,"depth":1054,"text":56},{"id":136,"depth":1054,"text":139},{"id":301,"depth":1054,"text":304},{"id":535,"depth":1054,"text":538},{"id":546,"depth":1054,"text":549},{"id":705,"depth":1054,"text":708},{"id":716,"depth":1054,"text":719},{"id":778,"depth":1054,"text":781},{"id":789,"depth":1054,"text":792},{"id":858,"depth":1054,"text":861},{"id":874,"depth":1054,"text":877},{"id":943,"depth":1054,"text":946},"2026-05-27T07:59:04.560Z","2026-05-28T01:43:48.397Z","2026-05-28T01:43:48.428Z","language-fun",0,"May 27, 2026",[],[1076,1090,1103],{"id":1077,"documentId":1078,"slug":1079,"category":1071,"lang":3,"title":1080,"description":1081,"image":1082,"tags":1087,"timestampUnix":1089,"featured":18},9576,"w8dlkecde7yk4u80bk4w3dvw","mexico-temporary-resident-visa-2026-requirements-and-walkthrough","Mexico Temporary Resident Visa 2026: Full Guide","2026 requirements, fees, income thresholds, and step-by-step application walkthrough for Mexico's Temporary Resident Visa (Residente Temporal).",{"alt":1083,"src":1084,"width":1085,"height":1086,"previewOnly":18},"Mexico Temporary Resident Visa: 2026 Requirements & Walkthrough","https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Fmexico_temporary_resident_visa_2026_requirements_and_walkthrough_5501a48766\u002Fmexico_temporary_resident_visa_2026_requirements_and_walkthrough_5501a48766.jpg",1200,800,[20,21,1088],"deepdive","1779954150238",{"id":1091,"documentId":1092,"slug":1093,"category":1071,"lang":3,"title":1094,"description":1095,"image":1096,"tags":1101,"timestampUnix":1102,"featured":18},9574,"xkwmhu6593jr2w6ijrp7kn5t","japan-winter-itinerary-nagano-niigata-and-powder-towns","Japan Winter Itinerary: Nagano & Niigata Powder Guide","Plan a Nagano and Niigata winter trip with current 2026 fares, lift pass prices, snow monkey access, and ryokan tips for powder season.",{"alt":1097,"src":1098,"width":1099,"height":1100,"previewOnly":18},"Japan Winter Itinerary: Nagano, Niigata, and Powder Towns","https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Fjapan_winter_itinerary_nagano_niigata_and_powder_towns_75b7925dee\u002Fjapan_winter_itinerary_nagano_niigata_and_powder_towns_75b7925dee.jpg",2000,1499,[21,20,22],"1779954148426",{"id":1104,"documentId":1105,"slug":1106,"category":1071,"lang":3,"title":1107,"description":1108,"image":1109,"tags":1113,"timestampUnix":1115,"featured":18},9572,"iu3lub1kzyx46talqn8brpo6","japan-visa-rejected-reasons-and-what-to-do-next","Japan Visa Rejected: What to Do Next (2026 Guide)","Rejected for a Japan visa? Learn why MOFA refuses applications, the 6-month rule, and how to reapply correctly in 2026.",{"alt":1110,"src":1111,"width":1085,"height":1112,"previewOnly":18},"Japan Visa Rejected: Reasons and What to Do Next","https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002Fjapan_visa_rejected_reasons_and_what_to_do_next_1dcdc4bbfa\u002Fjapan_visa_rejected_reasons_and_what_to_do_next_1dcdc4bbfa.jpg",675,[20,1114],"discussion","1779954145121"]