Info

Registration Info

The full conference registration fee of just $300 covers all program activities, including a tour of the DMZ and the Samsung d’light showroom; an opening evening reception at the Seoul Foreign Correspondents Club; two keynote lunches, one keynote dinner, and a tour lunch; and all program materials.

(Korea residents only)

Single-day registration options are now available for residents of South Korea – including foreign correspondents and others based there. The day rate options are:

• Friday, June 22 - Full day conference including lunch (Keynote dinner not included): $75
• Saturday, June 23 - Full day conference including lunch (Samsung Tour not included): $95
• Sunday, June 24 - Half day conference (DMZ tour and lunch not included): $40

Venue

CONFERENCE VENUE

The conference will be held at Yonsei University Sinchon Campus, a scenic 250-acre, tree-covered campus located in the heart of Seoul, a dynamic metropolis of 12 million people. Located 15 minutes away from the centers of government, business and culture, Yonsei University Sinchon Campus has grown from small beginnings to its present 17 colleges and 17 graduate schools with an annual enrollment of about 30,000 students. Many international and domestic tourists visit the campus, once the site of a royal palace during the Joseon Kingdom.

The campus is located near three other colleges. Thus, the Sinchon area has become the gathering place for young, hip college crowds. There are many trendy restaurants, shops and cafes. An upscale department store is within walking distance of the campus and is connected to the Sinchon subway station.

Yonsei University
50 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu
Seoul 120-749, Korea

All meetings will be held at the university’s School of Business.

Travel Info

ATTIRE
Business casual attire will be suitable (shirt, slacks, no tie necessary) for men and the equivalent for women. You may wish to have a light sweater or shawl on hand to use as the meeting rooms will be air-conditioned and may be a bit cool. You may also wish to bring a sport coat and tie to wear at the receptions and dinner.

CURRENCY
South Korea’s monetary unit is the won (KRW). Currency can be exchanged at most banks, and travelers cheques cashed at authorized banks and hotels. Most merchants in the cities accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit cards, but Koreans traditionally prefer cash. ATMs at banks are usually accessible only during banking hours, and instructions on the machines are generally only in Korean. Public ATMs at convenience stores and subway stations are generally available 24 hours. See useful websites for Currency/Converter.

LANGUAGE
The official host country language is Korean. The conference will be conducted primarily in English, with Korean-English simultaneous interpretation provided for plenary and keynote programs.

VISA / PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS
All visitors require a valid passport, a return or onward ticket, sufficient funds, all documents for the next destination and a contact address in South Korea. Those requiring a visa should obtain one from a Korean Embassy or Consulate before entering the country. Visas are not required if passenger holds an APEC Business Travel Card, provided the back of the card states validity for travel to South Korea. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

HEALTH
There are no required vaccinations for entry to Korea and standards of medical care are high. Payment for treatment is usually expected in advance. Medical insurance with provision for repatriation is also recommended. Tap water is chlorinated, but it may be best to drink bottled water.

ELECTRICITY
Electrical current is 110 or 220 volts, 60Hz. Most hotels operate on 220 volts.

COMMUNICATIONS
The international dialing code for South Korea is +82, and the outgoing code is 001 or 002 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 00144 for the UK). The outgoing code when using some mobile phones is 00700. City or area codes are in use, e.g. (0)2 for Seoul. Telecommunications are well developed and call boxes accepting both cash and cards are prevalent. Internet cafes are widely available. Although mobile telephones are widely used by locals, there is no GSM network and foreign phones will not usually work in the country, even when on international roaming. Local mobile phones may be rented.

USEFUL WEBSITES
Please visit the following websites for more information about Seoul, Korea (i.e., travel tips, weather, health, etc.):

• General information
• Incheon Airport
• Currency Converter
• Seoul Sightseeing: TripAdvisor; VisitKorea
• Shopping

Hotels

CONFERENCE HOTEL:
Our conference hotel is the Somerset Palace Seoul, located in Jongno-Gu, the city’s diplomatic, business, and financial district. The hotel offers a tranquil environment with beautiful garden and city views. Discover at your leisure the many restaurants, art galleries, shopping and entertainment venues located along Insa-dong, a popular street a short walk from the hotel, and throughout the Jongno-Gu area. Lying on the north side of the Han-Gang river, this area is the historical core of the city, containing most palaces, the Korea Press Building, Cheongwadae (the Blue House) and government offices.

**Participants who are interested in sharing a room with other conference attendees can email us for more information on connecting with other participants.

Rates:

NOTE: Somerset rooms with special rates for the conference have all been booked. Please contact the hotel for available non-discounted rooms or try the hotels listed below.

Somerset Palace Seoul
No 85 Susong-Dong, Jongno-Gu
Seoul 110-885, South Korea
(82-2) 6730 8000 phone
(82-2) 6730 8001 fax

E-mail: jimmy.lee@the-ascott.com (Mr. Jimmy Lee)

Map courtesy of visitkorea.or.kr

Additional hotels offering special rates:

Koreana Hotel
Located across the street from the Korea Press Center in the downtown district.

61-1 Ga Taepyungro
Joong Gu, 100-101 Seoul Korea
Contact: steve@koreanahotel.com (Mr. Steve Uhm)
E-mail:  reservation@koreanahotel.com

Download the Koreana Reservation Form

Rates:

• Business Queen:  KW181,500 (Approx. US$162)
• Executive Twin:  KW199,650 (Approx. US$178)

Rates include wired Internet, 11% service fee, and 10% VAT. When registering, please mention that you are with the East-West Center.

 

Grand Hilton Seoul
The Friday dinner banquet and Saturday lunch will be held in the Hilton’s Emerald Hall.

201-1, Hongeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu
Seoul, South Korea, 120-710
Tel: (82-2) 2287 8427
E-mail: sashin@mail.grandhiltonseoul.com (Ms. Laura Shin)

Download the Grand Hilton Reservation Form

Rates:

Standard room: KRW229,000 (Apx. US$198)
Includes 10% service fee, and 10% VAT. Breakfast is KRW32,670 (Approx. US$28)

DMZ Tour

The Korean Demilitarized Zone is a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula that serves as a buffer zone between North and South Korea. Located about 55 km (35 mi.) north of Seoul, the DMZ cuts the Korean Peninsula roughly in half, crossing the 38th parallel on an angle. It is 250 kilometres (160 mi.) long, approximately 4 km (2.5 mi.) wide and is the most heavily militarized border in the world.

DMZ Half-Day Tour Schedule
Sun. June 24, noon – 5:00 pm

• Pick-up at Yonsei University
• Imjingak Park
• Lunch
• Freedom Bridge
• 3rd Infiltration Tunnel
• DMZ Theater
• Dora Observatory
• Dorasan Station
• Unification Village (pass-by)
• Drop off Somerset Palace Hotel and Yonsei University